Effect of starvation on some hematological parameters of Blood parrot (Cichlasoma synspilum ♀ × Cichlasoma citrinellum ♂) fed diet containing astaxanthin and bile salt

The aim of this study was improving hematological factors of Blood parrot fish during starvation periods. For this purpose, 200 Blood parrot fish (average weight 25.5±26 g and length 6.34± 0.43 cm( were distributed in three different treatments (two replicates) including 33 fish individuals in each, including control (basic diet), astaxanthin treatment (4g/kg) and astaxanthin-sodium taurocholate, ST (as bile salt) treatment (diet enriched with 4g and 1200 mg/kg of astaxanthin and sodium taurocholate respectively) fed for 90 days and then subjected to starvation for 7 days. Blood were collected at the end of feeding and experimental starvation periods and some haematological parameters were checked. Results showed that main hematological factors (white blood cells counts as exception which increased significantly in fish fed on astaxanthin alone or in combination with ST) were not affected by nutritional treatments at the end of feeding period (P>0.05). After starvation period, Significant decrease in red blood cells counts were observed in fish fed on diet containing astaxanthin alone or in combination with ST  (P<0.05). While starvation could significantly reduce WBC only in control fish (P<0.05). Generally, it could be concluded that using astaxanthin alone or in combination with ST as a bile salt in the diet of Blood parrot could not affect hematological parameters the fish after starvation.