Effect of short term starvation and re-feeding on some growth, feeding factors and body composition Blue Streak Hap (Labidochromis caeruleus)

Abstract

In this study, the effects of starvation and re-feeding on growth performance and body biochemical composition of Blue Streak Hap (Labidochromis caeruleus) were conducted at autumn 2014. A total of 450 fish were assigned to 5 treatments with 3 replicates. 15 tanks were prepared with a volume of approximately 120 liters and trial period was considered 48 days in experimental conditions. Treatments included 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 days of starvation. Fish after two weeks of acclimatization to the laboratory conditions, were examined based on the pattern of starvation and re-feeding. The results of the growth performance and biochemical composition showed that, treatments 2 and 4 days of starvation, compared to the control group were able to compensatory growth in the period of re-feeding and did not show a significant difference in any of the treatments (P> 0/05). But treatments 8 and 16 days of starvation not be able to compensate growth and expenditure of excess metabolic energy due to starvation period, and had significant differences in the growth and nutritional factors as well as significant differences in the lipid and protein level compared to the control group.