The methods of microfloral analyses were as described by
Nikoskelainen et al. [32], except fish were starved for 36 h before
sampling. The L. plantarum and total bacterial counts in the
posterior intestines of fish were determined by plate counting on
MRS agar and tryptic soya agar (TSA), respectively. Six fish for each
treatment and time were used for these studies. In total, 78 fish
were used in this study.