Effect of short-term starvation on some growth, hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Paroon Shark (Pangasius sutchi)

In aquaculture and also in natural environment, fish may face long or short period of starvation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of starvation on growth, hematological and some serum biochemical parameters of Paroon shark (Pangasius sutchi). In this study 60 fish with average weight 30.5±2.5 g used. Fish randomly distributed in 2 groups and triplicates including control and fasted. The control fish were fed on commercial feed 2% per day. At the end of 15 days of experiment, the results showed that starvation could decrease fish weight significantly in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Starvation caused significant reduction in red blood cell counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration (p<0.05). In starved fish, serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and glucose were also significantly lower than control (p<0.05). In general, the results showed that 2 weeks’ starvation could cause significant alternation in some biological aspects of the Parron shark.