Effect of feeding strategies on growth performance and hematological indices of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii (Brandt, 1869) at different sizes

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding strategies on growth performance and hematological parameters of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) at different sizes for 45 days. Experimental treatments were including large fish with satiation feeding (LA); small fish with satiation feeding (SA); large fish with restricted feeding (LR); small fish with restricted feeding (SR); large starved fish (LS) and small starved fish (SS). Mean weights in large and small fish were 465.75±11.18g and 250.40±12g, respectively. Final weight in the LS and SS groups were significantly lower than the other groups (P<0.05). Hematological indices showed no interaction between feeding strategy and fish size (P>0.05), but monocyte values were significantly higher in LA treatment compared to the LR treatment (P<0.05). The present study revealed that feed deprivation has severe negative impacts on small fish while in restricted feeding treatments, these negative impacts were lower and the fish adapted to feed restriction period. Furthermore, the result of the present study indicated that various feeding strategies in both sizes had no adverse impact on hematological indices in Siberian sturgeon