Research advances in the application of functional intestinal probiotics in tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) aquaculture

As a crucial freshwater economic fish species in China, tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) is currently farmed under unreasonable high-density intensive models that have induced a series of challenges, including deteriorating aquaculture environments, suboptimal feeding efficiency during high-temperature seasons, and frequent disease outbreaks, all of which severely constrain the sustainable development of Oreochromis aquaculture. Studies have demonstrated that probiotics can significantly enhance tilapia growth performance and disease resistance through multifaceted approaches such as improving digestive efficiency and activating immune responses. This review systematically reviews research achievements over the past 15 years (2011-2025), with a focus on elucidating the screening criteria for functional probiotics, formulation processing technologies, and their practical implementation strategies in Oreochromis aquaculture. It further elucidates the mechanistic insights underlying probiotic-mediated metabolic function optimization and intestinal microbiota modulation in Oreochromis. Additionally, future research directions are proposed, including strain functional enhancement and development of multispecies probiotics formulations, aiming to provide theoretical foundations for establishing eco-friendly Oreochromis farming models and advancing the green transformation of Oreochromis aquaculture.