Comparative analysis of the gut microbiota in bighead carp under different culture patterns.

Aims: To investigate the phylogenetic composition and functional potential of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) gut microbiome in two rearing patterns (bighead carp polycultured with Oreochromis niloticus in pond A and bighead carp polycultured with Cyprinus carpio in pond B, respectively), as well as the changes of plankton in the cultured water at four different time points.

Methods And Results: The intestinal contents were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq of bacterial 16S rRNA. Cyanophyta and Chlorophyta were the prevalent phytoplankton in the water, whereas Rotifers and Protozoa were the predominant zooplankton.