Effects of Different Feeding Regimes on the Compensatory Growth of Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

The effects of different feeding regimes on the compensatory growth of olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus were investigated. Seven treatments with triplicates of different feeding regimes were conducted, as follows: (1) fed twice a day 6 days a week for 8 weeks; (2) starved for 1 week, then fed twice a day 6 days a week for 3 weeks; (3) starved for 2 weeks, then fed twice a day 6 days a week for 6 weeks; (4) starved for 5 days, then fed twice a day for 9 days; (5) starved for 10 days, then fed twice a day for 18 days; (6) starved for 2 days, then fed twice a day for 5 days, starved for another 3 days, and fed twice a day 4 days; and (7) starved for 4 days, then fed twice a day for 10 days, starved for another 6 days, and fed twice a day for 8 days. Forty fish averaging 12.5 g, were hand-fed to satiation according to the designated feeding schedule. Fish from the control group gained more weight than those from any other group. Feeding efficiency did not vary among treatments. In summary, olive flounder subjected to fasting with different feeding regimes did not fully compensate growth compared to fish fed for 8 weeks without fasting. In addition, the less that fasted groups were subsequently fed, the lower their compensatory growth.