Effects of feeding regime on food consumption, growth rates and tissue nucleic acids in juvenile Arctic charr, Salvelinm alpinus, with particular respect to compensatory growth

Abstract

Juvenile Arctic charr responded to a change from restricted to satiation feeding by showing a growth spurt (compensatory growth). During this period of rapid growth the fish became hyper‐phagic and in the days immediately following transfer from restricted to satiation feeding showed improved food conversion efficiency compared to their counterparts raised on a liberal feeding regime. Tissue (liver and muscle) nucleic acid concentrations were influenced by feeding regime, and RNA : DNA ratios were low in both starved fish and those fed restricted rations. Following transfer from restricted to satiation feeding, tissue RNA : DNA ratios were rapidly restored to initial levels. The uses of tissue RNA: DNA ratios both in evaluating nutritional status and as growth indices are discussed.