Effect of Short-term Starvation to Different Physiological Parameters and Growth Indices in Siberian Sturgeon, Acipenser baerii

Abstract

A week study was conducted to determine the effect of starvation on morphological parameters and growth indices in fry Siberian sturgeon. Eight fish were sampled once every week on Saturdays. Carcass: body weight increase, Hepatosomatic index, Specific growth rate, Condition factor, initial lengths and weights, final lengths and weights and liver weights for Hepatosomatic index calculation were all calculated using their respective formulae. All parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by duration of starvation. Furthermore, the results indicated that starved groups were affected by the starvation on their physiology especially in their growth indices and other parameters of interest measured in 1 week starvation. This suggested that during starvation, there are histological changes in fish organs esp. liver, kidney, and muscle tissues in which energy reserves such as glycogen, lipids and proteins are mobilized.