Periodic starvation and its effect on growth and muscle composition of Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822) fingerlings

Periodic starvation in C. mrigala

Abstract

The effect of intermittent starvation on the growth and muscle composition of fingerlings of Cirrhinus mrigala was studied. Three treatments were designated as D1, D2, and D3 where fish were starved for one day, two days, and three days in a week, respectively. Each experimental group had three replicates and the experiment was conducted for ten weeks. There was no significant differences in length increment, weight gain, and specific growth rate of fish between the treatment D1 and control though feed consumption was significantly different (P<0.05). The weight gain in treatments D2 and D3 was found to be considerably low with a significant reduction in feed consumption. Proximate composition analysis showed progressive decrease in total protein, fat and ash contents of fish muscle with higher feed restriction. The results indicated that one day feed restriction in a week can appreciably reduce feed consumption to the extent of 15.75% without causing a significant reduction of growth in Cirrhinus mrigala.