Effect of starvation with subsequent realimentation with respect to compensatory growth of Indian Major Carp, Rohu (Labeo rohita H.)

The aim of the present study was to determine the suitability of starvation followed by the realimentation for culture of rohu. Five different feeding schedules were tried by altering the period of starvation and realimentation of an isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diet. The control group (T_CS) was fed @ 3% of body weight for 90 days trial period and other experimental groups also fed at 3% of BW, were alternatively starved and fed adopting of cycles of 3 (T_1S), 7 (T_2S), 15 (T_3S) or 25 (T_4S) days during 90 days trial period. Feed was offered to replicates of 10 fingerlings with three replicates per experimental group, twice at morning and at afternoon. Results indicated that the deprived fish of T_1S and T_2S groups showed compensatory growth with hyperphagia, better feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ration. However, the retention of different nutrients was almost similar among all treatment groups. Fish showed compensatory growth had still lower values of haemoglobin, haematocrit value, total erythrocytic count, total plasma protein, plasma glucose and, total plasma lipid and liver glycogen in comparison to control at the end of 90 days trial. These findings suggested that a cyclic feeding schedule with starvation for 3 to 7 days followed by realimentation for same period is promising for use in rohu culture as they result in saving of feed cost without compromising the performance of fish.