The effects of different starvation-refeeding regimes in winter conditions on growth performance and nutritional composition of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

This study was conducted in order to evaluate of sea bass growth performance and nutritional composition with application of different starvation-re-feeding regimes in winter conditions. For this purpose, 240 individuals with the initial weights of 53.92 ± 0.3, were stocked into 12 tanks (450 l). According to trial the groups were designed as satiation feeding Control; and as 1 day starvation/1 day re-feeding group (A), 1 day starvation/2 days re-feeding group (B) and 1 day starvation/3 days re-feeding group (C), and the trial lasted for 96 days. Average water temperature was 15.7 ± 1.96 ° C throughout the experiment. According to data obtained at the end of work, Last Weight (LW) and the Thermal Growth Coefficient (TGC) were 130.71 ± 2.26 and 1.69 ± 0.08, respectively, with the highest ones found in the control group (p<0.05), while the lowest value was found with group B. There was not significant statistical difference between groups A, C and Control regarding Specific Growth Rate (SGR), but group B had and the lowest value with 0.81 ± 0.02 (p<0.05). The best Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) (1.30 ± 0.18) was obtained from group A (p<0.05). The highest Hepato Somatic Index (HSI) was found in group A, 2.75 ± 0.19 (p<0.05). With Economic Conversion Ratio (ECR), A and C showed a saving of 0.23 and 0.13 TL kg-1 respectively compared to Control. Regarding whole body protein composition, there was not any statistical difference between group A and Control, which had 17.47 ± 0.38, higher than those of other groups. According to the results, the regime of one day starvation/one day re-feeding in sea bass in winter conditions can be recommended as regards economical efficiency, nutritional composition and quality.Keywords: Sea bass, Starvation-Re-feeding, Compensatory Growth, Winter Condition