# Intestinal Microbial Profiles of Wild Zobaidy (Pampus argenteus) Fish Characterized by 16S rRNA Next Generation Sequencing

## TL;DR

This study analyzed the gut microbiome of wild Zobaidy fish in the Arabian Gulf to understand their health and environmental responses.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed characterization of the intestinal microbial profiles of wild Zobaidy fish using 16S rRNA sequencing.

## Key findings

- The gut microbiome of Zobaidy fish contains 5933 OTUs across 35 phyla, with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacterota being most abundant.
- Acinetobacter was the most prevalent genus, and specific species like Lactococcus piscium and Enterococcus cecorum were commonly found.
- Functional differences in the microbiome were observed in one Zobaidy sample compared to others, suggesting variability in microbial roles.

## Abstract

Pampus argenteus (Zobaidy) is an important fish in Kuwait and the Gulf region due to its economic value in the fish industry. Analyzing the gut microbiome of Zobaidy can help determine the health status of the fish and its responses to environmental changes. In this study, we investigated the microbiome composition of the intestinal tract among seven wild-caught silver pomfret specimens sampled in the Arabian gulf. The 16S rRNA was sequenced using the Illumina platform; then, sequences were analyzed using several bioinformatics tools to identify the microbial diversity, taxonomical status, and functional aspects. The results were 5933 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) categorized into 35 phyla. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacterota were most abundant in the Zobaidy and water samples. At the genus level, we found high relative abundances of Acinetobacter. The results indicated that Lactococcus piscium, Enterococcus cecorum, Psychrobacter arenosus, Vagococcus salmoninarum, and Carnobacterium maltaromaticum are the most commonly present species in the analyzed Zobaidy samples. A heatmap analysis indicated notable differences in the functional categories of intestinal microflora within the Zobaidy2 sample compared to other Zobaidy samples. It should be noted that microbiome studies can provide novel ways to enhance the overall welfare of fish, strengthen disease prevention, and increase sustainability in aquaculture production.