Abstract:The effect of starvation for varied period of time and subsequent feeding for the same time on the biochemical composition and energy value of Platichthys stellatus, cultured in seawater at salinity of 32±1 and temperature of 19±1 ℃, was examined. The contents of water, lipid, protein, and ash in the body and feces of P.stellatus at an average body weight of 26.02±0.30g were determined. Compared to the control group, the contents of the examined items were significantly different in three treatments which were starved for 5, 10, and 15 days respectively and subjected to subsequent re-feeding. The contents of water, lipid, and ash, and the energy value in the body of P. stellatus changed significantly, while the content of protein showed a moderate change. The contents of lipid and protein in the feces changed noticeably while the content of ash and the energy value stayed unchanged compared to the control group. It was also found that the biochemical composition was positively correlated with the time of starvation; the longer the starvation time, the more significant the change. The biochemical composition gradually recovered to the normal values after re-feeding, and the longer the starvation time, the longer the recovery time.
