PMX8 — Pathogen Mitigation Probiotic × 8 | BTA Biotech Aquatica

PATHOGEN MITIGATION PMX8 PATHOGEN MITIGATION × 8 8 strains, 4 distinct kill mechanisms, and a predatory bacterium that hunts pathogens. The most comprehensive biological defence blend available for aquatic systems. 8Strains 4Kill Mechanisms 0Resistance Path CHEMICAL WARFARE Streptomyces anti-mycobacterial compounds + Bacillus lipopeptides BIOLOGICAL PREDATION Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus — a living predator that hunts Gram-negative pathogens COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION + IMMUNE PRIMING 6 spore-forming Bacillus strains + Rhodotorula yeast for immune support ✓ 8 Bacteria + Yeast Strains ✓ 4 Kill Mechanisms ✓ Includes Bdellovibrio Predator ✓ 1 × 10¹¹ CFU/g ✓ Reef-Safe & Display-Safe ✓ Peer-Reviewed Research PMX8 is the most comprehensive pathogen mitigation blend available. Chemical warfare (Streptomyces anti-mycobacterial compounds, Bacillus lipopeptides), biological predation (Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus — a living predator that hunts Vibrio, Aeromonas, and other Gram-negative pathogens), competitive exclusion (6 spore-forming Bacillus strains occupying all ecological niches), and immune priming (Rhodotorula yeast providing astaxanthin and beta-glucan). Pathogens cannot develop resistance to all four simultaneously. The PMX8 Difference Four-Tier Pathogen Defence Most probiotics rely on one mechanism. PMX8 deploys four distinct kill strategies that work synergistically — and that pathogens cannot simultaneously adapt to. 🧪 Chemical Warfare Streptomyces spp. produce anti-mycobacterial compounds (streptcytosines, atrovimycin, desertomycins, ilamycins). Bacillus strains produce lipopeptides (surfactin, iturin, fengycin, bacillomycin) that disrupt pathogen cell membranes. These are bactericidal — pathogens die, not just stop growing. 🦠 Biological Predation Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a living predator that hunts, enters, consumes, and destroys Gram-negative pathogens from the inside. Each predator bursts into 3–6 new predators, continuing the hunt. No probiotic does this — it is a fundamentally different kill mechanism. 🛡️ Competitive Exclusion + Immune Priming 6 Bacillus strains outcompete pathogens for space and nutrients, produce digestive enzymes that degrade biofilm, and secrete quorum-quenching compounds. Rhodotorula yeast provides astaxanthin and beta-glucan, upregulating 15+ immune markers including lysozyme, proPO, and SOD. 8 Strains Meet the Microbial Arsenal Eight carefully selected microorganisms, each chosen for a specific role in pathogen suppression. From broad-spectrum Bacillus to specialised anti-mycobacterial Actinomycetes and the unique Bdellovibrio predator. Bacillus subtilis Broad-Spectrum Suppression Antimicrobial: 37+ Bacillus metabolites. Key targets: Vibrio, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus iniae, Edwardsiella — ≥70% reduction. Enzymes: Protease, amylase, cellulase — breaks down biofilms and organic waste. Immunity: Upregulates lysozyme, proPO, SOD, phagocytosis in fish (tilapia, sea bream, carp — confirmed in multiple peer-reviewed studies). Bacillus licheniformis Biofloc & Enzyme Specialist Antimicrobial: Lichenysin, bacitracin, surfactin — disrupts Gram-positive and Gram-negative cell walls. Key targets: Vibrio (parahaemolyticus, alginolyticus, harveyi), Aeromonas, Streptococcus — proven 70%+ reduction in shrimp gut. Specialty: Biofloc formation specialist. Enzymes: 14+ enzymes including keratinase — exceptional sludge and organic matter degrader. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Anti-Vibrio Heavy Hitter Antimicrobial: Bacillomycin D, fengycin, surfactin, macrolactin, difficidin — one of the most potent anti-Vibrio strains known. Key targets: Vibrio parahaemolyticus (AHPND-causing), V. alginolyticus, Aeromonas — complete inhibition in co-culture. Additional: Plant growth promoter for refugiums. Bacillus velezensis Multi-Pathogen Generalist Antimicrobial: Bacilysin, difficidin, macrolactin, surfactin, fengycin — multiple distinct antimicrobials. Key targets: Streptococcus agalactiae (70% survival in tilapia challenge), Vibrio, Aeromonas, Edwardsiella, Nocardia seriolae (68.3% survival). Enzymes: Protease, cellulase, xylanase for waste reduction. Paenibacillus polymyxa Antifungal & Nitrogen Specialist Antimicrobial: Polymyxins, fusaricidins, paenibacillins, pelgipeptins — potent Gram-negative + antifungal activity. Key targets: Fusarium, Saprolegnia, Candida, Vibrio, Aeromonas — major fungal pathogen coverage. Specialty: Nitrogen-fixing — fixes atmospheric N₂, beneficial for plant-dominated systems and nitrifying biofilter support. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus Living Predator Mechanism: Physical predator that hunts Gram-negative bacteria. Attaches to target, drills through the outer membrane, enters the periplasm, consumes cell contents from within, bursts out 3–6 new predators. Key targets: Vibrio (all species), Aeromonas, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Edwardsiella — cannot develop resistance because it's physical, not chemical. Safe: Cannot harm fish, invertebrates, or beneficial nitrifiers. Streptomyces hydrogenans Anti-Mycobacterial Specialist Antimicrobial: Streptcytosines, atrovimycin, desertomycins, ilamycins — compounds specifically active against Mycobacterium spp. and other tough Gram-positives. Key targets: Mycobacterium marinum, M. fortuitum (fish TB agents), Nocardia seriolae, Gram-positive pathogens. Quorum quenching: Disrupts pathogen cell-to-cell communication — prevents biofilm formation and coordinated virulence expression. Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (Marine) Immune Priming & Colour Immune support: Naturally produces astaxanthin (potent antioxidant) and beta-glucans (immune receptor agonists). Effects: Upregulates lysozyme, respiratory burst, proPO cascade, superoxide dismutase, and phagocytosis — proven in sea bream, Atlantic salmon, and Pacific white shrimp. Bonus: Astaxanthin intensifies fish and invertebrate colouration for display and market value. Pathogen Effectiveness Proven Pathogen Suppression Each strain in PMX8 targets specific pathogens. The matrix below shows confirmed effectiveness from peer-reviewed research (2022–2025). Multiple kill mechanisms ensure robust suppression with no single resistance pathway. Pathogen Type Disease / Effect Key Strains Effectiveness Vibrio (all pathogenic) Gram-negative Vibriosis, AHPND, mortality B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. velezensis, Bdellovibrio Highly Effective (≥70%) Aeromonas Gram-negative Haemorrhagic septicaemia, fin rot B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. velezensis, P. polymyxa, Bdellovibrio Highly Effective (≥70%) Pseudomonas Gram-negative Gill disease, septicaemia B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, Bdellovibrio Highly Effective (≥70%) Edwardsiella Gram-negative Enteric septicaemia (ESC) B. subtilis, B. velezensis, Bdellovibrio Effective (≥50%) Streptococcus iniae / agalactiae Gram-positive Streptococcosis, meningoencephalitis B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. velezensis Effective (≥50%) Nocardia seriolae Gram-positive Nocardiosis, granulomas B. velezensis, S. hydrogenans Effective (≥50%) Mycobacterium (free-living) Acid-fast Fish TB (prevention) S. hydrogenans, competitive exclusion Effective (prevention) Fusarium / Saprolegnia Fungal Fungal infections, egg mortality P. polymyxa (fusaricidins, paenibacillins) Effective (≥50%) Gram-positive (general) Gram-positive Broad opportunistic pathogens B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. velezensis Effective (≥50%) Biofilm / Quorum All types Systemic virulence regulation S. hydrogenans (quorum quenching), Bacillus enzymes Effective (≥50%) Effectiveness levels: Highly effective = ≥70% reduction/elimination. Effective = ≥50% confirmed antagonism. Prevention = indirect benefit through immune priming / environmental suppression. Research sources: peer-reviewed publications 2022–2025. Full references available on request. Application Methods How to Apply PMX8 PMX8 is formulated as a free-flowing powder at 1 × 10¹¹ CFU/g. Choose the application method that matches your system and treatment goals. 💧 Water — Acute Treatment 1 g per 1000 L = 100,000 CFU/mL. Starting dose for acute pathogen outbreaks. Dose once weekly. Escalate by 25% increments based on severity. Maintain active aeration (airstone or pure oxygen) during treatment. Minimise feed input during treatment to maximise oxygen availability and reduce organic load. 🔄 Water — Maintenance 1 g per 2000 L = 50,000 CFU/mL. Reduced intensity for maintenance between acute treatments. Ideal for ongoing pathogen suppression and immune support. 🍽️ Feed — Standard 1 g per kg feed = 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g feed. For gut colonisation, immune priming (lysozyme, proPO, SOD upregulation), and competitive exclusion in the GI tract. ⚡ Feed — Therapeutic 5 g per kg feed = 5 × 10⁸ CFU/g feed. Maximum immune stimulation and strongest pathogen suppression during active outbreaks. Use for 7–14 days. Acute Treatment Protocol Starting dose: 1 g per 1000 L (100,000 CFU/mL) applied once weekly. Escalation: Both dose and frequency can be increased by 25% increments based on the severity of the issue. Aeration: Always maintain active aeration (airstone or pure oxygen) during treatment. Feeding: Minimise feed input during treatment to maximise oxygen availability and reduce organic load. Complementary Products Build a Complete Biological System PMX8 works best as part of a comprehensive biological management strategy. These complementary products target specific aspects of system health. 🔬 Custom Blends — Microbe Market Need a specific formulation? Microbe Market offers all 23 BTA strains individually in 10g packages, plus a custom compounding service. Build your own blend targeting your system's specific biological challenges. Explore Strains → 🧫 OC-K — Microbe Nutrient Growth Fuel Optimise colonisation. OC-K is a prebiotic growth medium specifically formulated for Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Streptomyces, and Rhodotorula strains. Use alongside PMX8 for faster establishment, higher population persistence, and more effective long-term pathogen suppression. View Product → 🌿 NCOMP — Nitrogen Cycling Consortium Complete nitrogen management. NCOMP provides Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter, and supporting autotrophic strains for rapid biofilter maturation and full NH₃/NO₂/NO₃ cycling. Ideal pairing with PMX8 for systems requiring both pathogen control and robust filtration. View Range → What's Included Everything in the Package PMX8 is a complete pathogen mitigation system in a single container. No additional mixing, blending, or preparation required. 📦 8-Strain Blend 1 × 10¹¹ CFU/g. A precisely formulated blend of Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. velezensis, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, Streptomyces hydrogenans, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa — all in one powder. ⚖️ Choice of Weights Multiple sizes available to match your system volume and treatment frequency. From single treatments to bulk supply for ongoing protocols. 📋 Dosing Guide Comprehensive dosing protocol included with every order. Covers water treatment (acute and maintenance), feed application (standard and therapeutic), and escalation guidelines. Advanced Options Scale Up Your Biological Control For operations that need more targeted or high-intensity pathogen control, these upgrade paths extend PMX8's capabilities. 🎯 Custom Blends Precise targeting. Work with our microbial team to design a custom formulation that emphasises specific strains for your system's pathogen profile. Ideal for RAS facilities, hatcheries, and research operations with known recurring issues. 📈 Higher CFU Formulations Need more punch? PMX8 can be compounded at elevated CFU levels for high-bioload systems, acute outbreak scenarios, or commercial-scale operations requiring intensive dosing. 🔄 Tailored Dosing Programs Ongoing support. Our technical team designs system-specific dosing protocols — volume, bioload, species, and goals all factored in. Includes scheduled reviews and adjustments as your system evolves. 💬 Need a Custom Formulation? Contact our microbial team to discuss custom blends, higher CFU options, or tailored dosing programs for your specific operation. Get in Touch Honest Assessment Mycobacterium: Prevention, Not Cure Fish TB (Mycobacterium) is one of the hardest pathogens in aquariology. We're upfront about what PMX8 can and cannot do. What PMX8 CAN Do for Mycobacterium Reduce free-living Mycobacterium in water and substrate via Streptomyces anti-mycobacterial compounds (streptcytosines, atrovimycin, desertomycins, ilamycins) + lipopeptide disruption + competitive exclusion. Prime fish immune systems to contain early infections before granulomas form (astaxanthin, beta-glucan, lysozyme upregulation, macrophage activation, phagosome-lysosome fusion restoration). Prevent establishment by occupying all the niches Mycobacterium would try to colonise. What PMX8 CANNOT Do Cure established mycobacteriosis. Once granulomas form, no product can penetrate them. Drug treatment (rifampin + ethambutol, typically months) is required. PMX8's strategy for Mycobacterium is prevention — making it harder to gain a foothold and easier for fish to fight it off if exposed. FAQ Common Questions Q How does PMX8 differ from regular probiotics? Regular probiotics are typically single-strain or multi-strain bacteria that support digestion or water quality. PMX8 is a pathogen mitigation system — it's specifically formulated with four distinct kill mechanisms (chemical antimicrobials, competitive exclusion, biological predation, and immune priming) that pathogens cannot simultaneously develop resistance to. It includes a predatory bacterium (Bdellovibrio) that physically hunts pathogens, and a hard-pathogen specialist (Streptomyces) that produces anti-mycobacterial compounds. Q Can PMX8 cure mycobacteriosis (fish TB)? No. Once Mycobacterium granulomas form, no probiotic can penetrate them — drug treatment (rifampin + ethambutol) is required. PMX8's strategy for Mycobacterium is prevention: Streptomyces anti-mycobacterial compounds reduce free-living bacteria in the water, competitive exclusion prevents environmental colonisation, and immune priming helps fish fight off early infections before granulomas form. Q Is PMX8 safe for reef tanks and display aquariums? Yes. All strains are non-pathogenic and reef-safe. The Bacillus and Paenibacillus strains are spore-formers with excellent shelf stability. Bdellovibrio only preys on Gram-negative bacteria — it cannot harm fish, invertebrates, corals, or beneficial nitrifying bacteria. Rhodotorula is a marine yeast safe for all aquatic life. Streptomyces is an Actinomycete used in aquaculture globally. Q How does Bdellovibrio work — is it safe? Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predatory bacterium that only attacks Gram-negative bacteria (Vibrio, Aeromonas, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella). It attaches to a target cell, drills through the outer membrane, enters the periplasm, consumes the cell contents, and bursts out 3–6 new predators — each one immediately hunting more pathogens. It cannot harm fish, invertebrates, beneficial bacteria, or humans. Confirmed safe in published aquaculture studies. Not Sure Which Product You Need? Every system is different. Our technical team can help you choose the right formulation, dosing protocol, and complementary products for your specific setup — from nano reefs to commercial RAS facilities. Get in Touch Explore Microbe Market Trade & Wholesale Bulk pricing available for commercial RAS facilities, hatcheries, aquaculture operations, aquarium installers, and resellers. Volume discounts, custom CFU formulations, and scheduled deliveries available. Apply for Trade Account