Could the growth of Litopenaeus vannamei be compensated by long-term cyclic feed deprivation and following refeeding?

ABSTRACT

The effects of long-term cyclic feed deprivation and refeeding on compensatory growth and body composition of Litopenaeus vannamei were assessed for five different feeding protocols (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 4, 7 days fasting/days feeding) during 15 study weeks. Shrimp in each tank were weighed to calculate growth parameters. The control group has shown the highest specific growth rate (SGR) and the highest final weight compared to the cycling-feeding groups during the first 8 weeks (P < 0.05). On the other hand, during the realimentation period (9–15 weeks), SGR of the cycling feeding groups and the control group are equivalent (P < 0.05). It has been concluded that long-term cycling starvation and feeding treatment lead to compensatory growth of L. vannamei. Final survival rates ranged between 64.4% and 79.9% in all the groups (P > 0.05).

KEYWORDS:

• Cyclic-feed
• refeeding
• compensatory growth
• realimentation
• L.vannamei

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Metin KUMLU (Department of Aquaculture, Fisheries Faculty, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey) for supplying the L. vannamei postlarvae used in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Scientific Research Fund of Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi [Project No: 1204DO103].