From Antibiotics to Probiotics: Sustainable Disease Management in Nile Tilapia Aquaculture

Aquaculture is essential for global food security. Yet disease outbreaks in Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) farms cause considerable economic losses and environmental damage. Overuse of antibiotics has exacerbated antimicrobial resistance (AMR), necessitating sustainable alternatives such as probiotics. This review synthesizes data from 79 studies published between 2015 and 2024 demonstrating that probiotics, particularly the Bacillus and Lactobacillus groups, which represent 52% and 24% of studies, respectively, effectively combat dominant pathogens, including Streptococcus and Aeromonas , studied by 48% and 36% of studies, respectively. Probiotics act by immune modulation in 57% of cases, by production of antimicrobial compounds in 21% of cases, and by competitive exclusion in 12% of cases. Feed‐based delivery was used in 98% of studies, highlighting its practicality in farm settings. Compared with antibiotics, probiotics reduce the risks of AMR and environmental toxicity, although challenges such as strain specificity persist. Field‐scale validation and research on anti‐inflammatory effects (3% of studies) are needed to optimize their use. These findings highlight probiotics as a viable and environmentally responsible alternative for disease management in Nile tilapia aquaculture.