Effect of starvation on growth carcass chemical composition and non-specific immune parameters in grunter Terapon jarbua Forsskal, 1775 fry

Different fish species tolerate starvation periods using distinct strategies of activating adaptive biochemical and physiological mechanisms that enable them to cope with the adverse condition. The present study was investigated the effect of starvation on growth, chemical compositions and non- specific immune parameters in grunters (Terapon jarbua) fry. In this study, 180 fry of T.jarbua studied with mean length 4.46± 0.21 cm and weight 1.98± 0.30 g that included fed and starved groups each with three replicates (30 fish per replicate) in a 60 – liter plastic tanks. Sampling of fish was performed at 10, 20 and 30 days of food deprivation. The results showed that specific growth ratio (SGR) and increased weight gain (growth parameters), protein and fat (chemical compositions) levels were significantly lower in starved group than in fed group (P