EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM CYCLES OF FEED DEPRIVATION AND REFEEDING TO PROMOTE COMPENSATORY GROWTH OF Dawkinsia tambraparniei, AN INDIGENOUS ORNAMENTAL FISH

In present experiment one month juveniles (171.60±2.93 mg) of Dowkinsia tambraparniei, Tambraparni Barb; an indigenous ornamental barb fish has been fed with different feeding regimes for 90 days. In control the fish was fed daily up to satiation whereas in T1, one day feed deprivation and 2 day refeeding (1D: 2R), T2, one day feed deprivation and 1 day refeeding (1D: 1R), T3, two day feed deprivation and 1 day refeeding (2D:1R) and T4, three day feed deprivation and 1 day refeeding (3D:1R) for 24 days in every 30 days. The last 6 days of every 30 days, fishes from all treatments and control were fed upto satiation for compensatory growth.  The mean weight of fishes on 30^th day and 60^th day in T1 was not significantly different from control and T2 group.  The SGR and weight gain (%) in T1 group was not significantly different from control. The feed consumed during the 90 days in T1 group was 36% lesser than the control group. The current study revealed that, approximately 36 % feed can be saved by depriving Dawkinsia tambraparniei to feed for one day and refeeding for two day without affecting growth performance, feed utilization efficiencies and survival rate.