Circadian rhythms and feeding time in fishes

Abstract

SynopsisAlthough several studies have described effects of meal frequency and timing of meals on growth performance and body composition of different species of fishes, the mechanisms by which such variables influence the energy partitioning processes is not known. They may interact with the natural feeding rhythm of the fish, or with various behavioural and physiological parameters that exhibit 'circadian-like' patterns; however, in most cases, the endogenous character of such rhythms is not clear. The time of feeding, perse, can act as a Zeitgeber and override the effect of the light/dark alternation. Fish that are fed always at the same time of day show typical pre-feeding activity. Blood levels of some nutrients and hormones also show peaks or troughs at the time of feeding, but whether these are pre-feeding or post-prandial events is not clear. These results from fish are compared with similar studies with mammals. The existence and location of an endogenous multi-oscillator system is also discussed.

Diel changes in food and feeding activity of sciaenid fishes from the South-western Atlantic, Brazil

“…This may be due to latitudinal differences (Boujard & Leatherland, 1992) and also to differences in oceanographic conditions or in behavioral patterns between populations, as was argued by Manickchand-Heileman & Ehrhardt (1996). These two croackers fed on a variety of benthic invertebrates, most heavily on polychaetes, mainly capitelids, tubiculous detritivores living in the bottom subsurface and no changes in the diet composition occurred over a day.…”

“…Thus it may be suggested that sergestid shrimps are available to the shortfin corvina during their daytime migration and to the drum during their rising and sinking movements at dusk and during the night. The above facts are obviously related to the morphological traits of the fish which may be a guide to the trophic ecology because the traits determine how and what a fish feeds on (Chao & Musick, 1977;Wooton, 1995) and must be synchronized in accordance with the daily light/dark alternation (Boujard & Leatherland, 1992). But the ultimate causal factors may be hidden in the past (Chao & Musick, 1977;Gerking, 1994).…”

PERFORMA PERTUMBUHAN KRABLET KEPITING BAKAU (Scylla olivacea) DENGAN FREKUENSI PEMBERIAN PAKAN BERBEDA PADA STADIA PENDEDERAN

“…Aktivitas makan krustase berfluktuasi selama 24 jam dan ini mungkin terkait dengan pengaruh dari dalam yang disesuaikan dengan fotoperiodik dan ketersediaan pakan (Boujard & Leatherland, 1992 Namun demikian, tingkat pemanfaatan pakan kaitannya dengan frekuensi/waktu pemberian pakan juga sangat tergantung pada sifat dan cara makan, laju pengosongan lambung, serta puncak aktivitas makan hewan secara alami yang saling memengaruhi dengan aktivitas enzim dengan pengontrolan hormon dan sistem syaraf (Bolliet et al, 2002;De Pedro & Bjornsson, 2002;Sanchez-Vazquez & Madrid, 2002). Kepiting bakau tergolong hewan air yang cenderung aktif makan pada malam hari (nocturnal).…”

Feeding aspects of Leporinus amblyrhynchus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) in the first stages of formation of a Neotropical reservoir, Brazil

“…The high level of activity recorded in the diurnal period indicates the presence of a daytime-predator species, which intensifies the feeding in the vespertine-nocturne period and decreases it in the nocturne-matutine period. According to Boujard & Leatherland (1992), when food is always available, the feeding rhythm is synchronized by the photoperiod. This was recorded for species with herbivores and detritivores habits (upper rio Paraná floodplain) by Andrian et al (1994) and Fugi et al (1996), respectively.…”