The Effects of Starvation and Subsequent Feeding on Survival and Growth of Fulton Channel Sockeye Salmon Fry (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Abstract

In the laboratory 8 groups of Fulton River channel fry were starved for periods ranging from 1 to 7 weeks, then offered food ad libitum for 8 weeks. Fry withstood up to 4-weeks starvation with less than 10% mortality; beyond this point mortality increased sharply to 90% at 7-weeks starvation. At 5-weeks starvation both fry length and weight decreased significantly. Mortality continued when fish were offered food ad libitum after being starved. Among fish starved for 1 and 2 weeks, mortalities continued to be low, 0 and 6.6%, respectively; but, among fish starved from 3 to 5 weeks, mortalities rose considerably, ranging from 42 to 99%.