Starvation, refeeding and alterations on the growth of juvenile "pacu" Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887

Abstract

This paper describes a preliminary study on the effect of starvation and refeeding on the growth of juvenile "pacu" (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Fish were exposed to periods of 15, 30 or 60 days deprivation and 7 or 30 days refeeding. Fish that were deprived of food and then fed showed better growth than those that were fed daily. Beginning food restriction affected significantly the weight, but at the end of the experiment the experimental fish displayed a compensatory growth response on return to adequate feeding.