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Abstract
The effect of restricted feeding schedule was investigated on the seasonal shifting of daily demand‐feeding pattern and food anticipatory activity in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) held under natural environmental conditions in an outdoor laboratory. To that end, demand‐feeding behavior was continuously monitored for approximately one year in four groups of 15 fish each exposed to natural fluctuations of water temperature (from 13.2°C to 27.4°C) and photophase (from 9.5 h to 14.5 h of light). When the animals were subjected to a time‐restricted feeding schedule, the demand‐feeding rhythm rapidly synchronized to the three periods of food availability: the first meal (FM) from 08∶00 to 09∶00 h, the second meal (SM) from 16∶00 to 17∶00 h, and the third meal (TM) from 00∶00 to 01∶00 h. The occurrence of demand‐feeding activity into the three periods of food availability displayed a double seasonal shift: fish that self‐fed mostly during the daytime periods of feeding availability (FM and SM) in summer and autumn changed to nocturnal feeding (TM) from December to April, returning to diurnal preferences in April. Food‐demands appeared to be predominantly associated with feed availability, reaching its maximum levels during the hours of reward. In addition, feeding anticipatory activity (FAA) was observed. A relationship was detected between the duration of FAA and feeding‐time, with shortest FAA (30–60 min) when mealtime occurred just after sunrise (FM) or sunset (TM). These findings demonstrate the ability of sea bass to self‐feed under time‐restricted schedules, and show a seasonal‐phase inversion in demand‐feeding activity in spite of the restrictions in their feeding availability. Sea bass can use external signals as reference to anticipate the time of feed availability. This information may be useful for designing new feeding strategies for European sea bass fish farming.