Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Does feeding time affect fish welfare?

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry volume 38, pages 143–152 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Increased aquaculture production has raised concerns about managing protocols to safeguard the welfare of farmed fish, as consumers demand responsible aquaculture practices to provide ‘welfare friendly’ products. Feeding is one of the largest production cost in a fish farm and can be one of the biggest stressors for fish. Under farming conditions, fish are challenged with artificial diets and feeding regimes, and inadequate feeding conditions cause stress, alteration of normal behavioural patterns, poor performance and eventually diseases and death, which are by no means acceptable neither economically nor ethically. This review aims to highlight the impact of feeding rhythms and feeding time upon physiological and behavioural welfare indicators, which show circadian rhythms as well. Therefore, all these variables should be considered when designing feeding strategies in farming conditions and assessing the welfare state of cultured fish.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  • Aranda A, Madrid JA, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2001) Influence of light on feeding anticipatory activity in goldfish. J Biol Rhythms 16:50–57

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Azzaydi M, Martínez FJ, Zamora S, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ, Madrid JA (1999) Effect of meal size modulation on growth performance and feeding rhythms in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.). Aquaculture 170:253–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azzaydi M, Martínez FJ, Zamora S, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ, Madrid JA (2000) The influence of nocturnal vs. diurnal feeding under winter conditions on growth and feed conversion of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.). Aquaculture 182:329–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baras E, Tissier F, Westerloppe L, Mélard C, Philippart JC (1998) Feeding in darkness alleviates density-dependent growth of juvenile vundu catfish Heterobranchus longifilis (Clariidae). Aquat Living Resour 11:335–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernier NJ (2006) The corticotropin-releasing factor system as a mediator of the appetite-suppressing effects of stress in fish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 146:45–55

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernier NJ, Peter RE (2001) The hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis and the control of food intake in teleost fish. Comp Biochem Physiol B 129:639–644

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bernier NJ, Bedard N, Peter RE (2004) Effects of cortisol on food intake, growth, and forebrain neuropeptide Y and corticotropin-releasing factor gene expression in goldfish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 135:230–240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boujard T, Gélineau A, Corraze G (1995) Time of a single daily meal influences growth performance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Aquac Res 26:341–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brännäs E, Berglund U, Eriksson L-O (2005) Time learning and anticipatory activity in groups of Arctic charr. Ethology 111:681–692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daan S (1981) Adaptive daily strategies in behavior. In: Aschoff J (ed) Handbook of behavioral neurobiology 4: biological rhythms. Plenum Press, New York, pp 275–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabrowski K, Krumschnabel G, Paukku M, Labanowski J (1992) Cyclic growth and activity of pancreatic enzymes in alevins of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.). J Fish Biol 40:511–521

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis RE (1963) Daily ‘predawn’ peak of locomotion in fish. Anim Behav 12:272–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickmeis T (2009) Glucocorticoids and the circadian clock. J Endocrinol 200:3–22

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer KS, Brown JA, Parrish C, Lall SP (2002) Feeding frequency affects food consumption, feeding pattern and growth of juvenile yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea). Aquaculture 213:279–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis T, Oidtmann B, St-Hilaire S, Turnbull J, North B, MacIntyre C, Nikolaidis J, Hoyle I, Kestin S, Knowles T (2008) Fin erosion in farmed fish. In: Branson E (ed) Fish welfare. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 121–149

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Engrola S, Conceição LEC, Gavaia PJ, Cancela ML, Dinis MT (2005) Effects of pre-weaning feeding frequency on growth, survival, and deformation of Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup, 1858). Isr J Aquac Bamidgeh 57:10–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksson LO (1978) Nocturnalism versus diurnalism–dualism within individuals. In: Thorpe JE (ed) Rhythmic activity of fishes. Academic Press, London, pp 69–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Farbridge KF, Leatherland JF (1987a) Lunar cycles of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. I. Growth and feeding. J Exp Biol 128:165–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Farbridge KF, Leatherland JF (1987b) Lunar periodicity of growth cycles in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson. J Interdiscip Cycle Res 18:169–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser NHC, Heggenes J, Metcalfe NB, Thorpe JE (1995) Low summer temperatures cause juvenile Atlantic salmon to become nocturnal. Can J Zool 73:446–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García JA, Villarroel M (2009) Effect of feed type and feeding frequency on macrophage functions in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.). Fish Shellfish Immunol 27:325–329

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gill AB, Hart PJB (1996) Unequal competition between three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, L. encountering sequential prey. Anim Behav 51:689–698

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrero MJ, Pascual M, Madrid JA, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2005) Demand-feeding rhythms and feeding-entrainment of locomotor activity rhythms in tench (Tinca tinca). Physiol Behav 84:595–605

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Higgins PJ, Talbot C (1985) Growth and feeding in juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.). In: Cowey CB, Mackie AM, Bell JG (eds) Nutrition and feeding in fish. Academic Press, London, pp 243–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoar WS (1942) Diurnal variations in feeding activity of young salmon and trout. J Fish Res Board Can 34:1655–1669

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogendoorn H (1981) Controlled propagation of the African catfish, Clarias lazera (C. & V.). IV. Effect of feeding regime on fingerling culture. Aquaculture 24:123–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huntingford FA, Adams C, Braithwaite VA, Kadri S, Pottinger TG, Sandøe P, Turnbull JF (2006) Current understanding on fish welfare: a broad overview. J Fish Biol 68:332–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarboe HH, Grant WJ (1997) The influence of feeding time and frequency on the growth, survival, feed conversion, and body composition of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, cultured in a three-tier, closed, recirculating raceway system. J Appl Aquac 7:43–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen EH, Jobling M (1989) Patterns of food intake in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, monitored by radiography. Aquaculture 81:155–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen EH, Jobling M (1990) Feeding modes in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L.: the importance of bottom feeding for the maintenance and growth. Aquaculture 86:379–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerdchuen N, Legendre M (1991) Influence de la fréquence et de la période de nourrissage sur la croissance et l’efficacité alimentaire d’un silure africain, Heterobranchus longifilis. Aquat Living Resour 4:241–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kikuchi K, Iwata N, Kawabata T, Yanagawa T (2006) Effect of feeding frequency, water temperature, and stocking density on the growth of tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes. J World Aquac Soc 37:12–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulckzykowska E, Sánchez-Vázquez, FJ (2010) Neurohormonal regulation of feed intake and response to nutrients in fish: aspects of feeding rhythm and stress. Aquac Res 41:654–667. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2109.2009.02350.x

    Google Scholar 

  • López-Olmeda JF, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2010) Feeding rhythms in fish: from behavioural to molecular approach. In: Kulczykowska E (ed) Biological clock in fish. Science Publishers, Enfield, pp 155–184

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • López-Olmeda JF, Egea-Álvarez M, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2009a) Glucose tolerance in fish: is the daily feeding time important? Physiol Behav 96:631–636

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • López-Olmeda JF, Montoya A, Oliveira C, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2009b) Synchronization to light and restricted-feeding schedules of behavioural and humoral daily rhythms in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Chronobiol Int 26:1389–1408

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Madrid JA, Boujard T, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2001) Feeding rhythms. In: Houlihan DF, Boujard T, Jobling M (eds) Food intake in fish. Blackwell Science, Oxford, pp 189–215

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza J (2007) Circadian clocks: setting time by food. J Neuroendocrinol 19:127–137

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mistlberger R (1994) Circadian food-anticipatory activity: formal models and physiological mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav R 18:171–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Montoya A, López-Olmeda JF, Garayzar ABS, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2010a) Synchronization of daily rhythms of locomotor activity and plasma glucose, cortisol and thyroid hormones to feeding in Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) under a light-dark cycle. Physiol Behav 101:101–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Montoya A, López-Olmeda JF, Yúfera M, Sánchez-Muros MJ, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2010b) Feeding time synchronises daily rhythms of behaviour and digestive physiology in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Aquaculture 306:315–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakagawa H, Umino T, Mizogami H (1999) Effect of feeding regime on biological and biochemical parameters in Ayu. Fisheries Sci 65:259–263

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noble C, Mizusawa K, Suzuki K, Tabata M (2007) The effect of differing self-feeding regimes on the growth, behaviour and fin damage of rainbow trout held in groups. Aquaculture 264:214–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noeske-Hallin TA, Spieler RE, Parker NC, Suttle MA (1985) Feeding time differentially affects fattening and growth of channel catfish. J Nutr 115:1228–1232

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • North BP, Ellis T, Knowles T, Bron JE, Turnbull JF (2008) The use of stakeholder focus groups to identify indicators for the on-farm assessment of trout welfare. In: Branson E (ed) Fish welfare. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 243–267

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Polakof S, Ceinos RM, Fernández-Durán B, Míguez JM, Soengas JL (2007) Daily changes in parameters of energy metabolism in brain of rainbow trout: dependence of feeding. Comp Biochem Physiol A 146:265–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen RS, Larsen FH, Jensen S (2007) Fin condition and growth among rainbow trout reared at different sizes, densities and feeding frequencies in high-temperature re-circulated water. Aquacult Int 15:97–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy PK, Leatherland JF, Khan MN, Boujard T (1994) Effect of daily meal time on the growth of rainbow trout fed different ration levels. Aquacult Int 2:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reebs SG (2002) Plasticity of diel and circadian activity rhythms in fishes. Rev Fish Biol Fish 12:349–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reebs SG, Lague M (2000) Daily food-anticipatory activity in golden shiners: a test of endogenous timing mechanisms. Physiol Behav 70:35–43

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rozin P, Mayer J (1961) Regulation of food intake in the goldfish. Am J Physiol 201:968–974

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruohonen K, Vielma J, Grove DJ (1998) Effects of feeding frequency on growth and food utilisation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed low-fat herring or dry pellets. Aquaculture 165:111–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura Y, Tagawa M, Tsukamoto K (1998) Whole-body cortisol concentrations and ontogeny of aggressive behaviour in yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck and Schlegel: Carangidae). Gen Comp Endocrinol 109:286–292

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez JA, López-Olmeda JF, Blanco-Vives B, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2009a) Effects of feeding schedule on locomotor activity rhythms and stress response in sea bream. Physiol Behav 98:125–129

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez JA, Madrid JA, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2009b) Molecular cloning, tissue distribution and daily rhythms of expresión of per1 gene in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Chronobiol Int 26:1120–1135

    Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Vázquez FJ, Madrid JA (2001) Feeding anticipatory activity in fish. In: Houlihan DF, Boujard T, Jobling M (eds) Food intake in fish. Blackwell Science, Oxford, pp 216–232

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Vázquez FJ, Tabata M (1998) Circadian rhythms of demand-feeding and locomotor activity in rainbow trout. J Fish Biol 52:255–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Vázquez FJ, Azzaydi M, Martínez FJ, Zamora S, Madrid JA (1998) Annual rhythms of demand-feeding activity in sea bass: evidence of a seasonal phase inversion of the diel feeding pattern. Chronobiol Int 15:607–622

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schnaittacher G, King W, Berlinsky DL (2005) The effects of feeding frequency on growth of juvenile Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. Aquacult Res 36:370–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Small BC (2005) Effect of fasting on nychthemeral concentrations of plasma growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and cortisol in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Comp Biochem Physiol B 142:217–223

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spieler RE, Noeske TA (1984) Effects of photoperiod and feeding schedule on diel variations of locomotor activity, cortisol, and thyroxine in goldfish. Trans Am Fish Soc 113:528–539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stephan FK (2002) The “other” circadian system: food as a zeitgeber. J Biol Rhythms 17:284–292

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sundaraj BI, Nath P, Halberg F (1982) Circadian meal timing in relation to lighting schedule optimizes catfish body weight gain. J Nutr 112:1085–1097

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker BJ, Booth MA, Allan GL, Booth D, Fielder DS (2006) Effects of photoperiod and feeding frequency on performance of newly weaned Australian snapper Pagrus auratus. Aquaculture 258:514–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turnbull JF, Richards RH, Robertson DA (1996) Gross, histological and scanning electron-microscopic appearance of dorsal fin rot in farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. parr. J Fish Dis 19:415–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vera LM, De Pedro N, Gómez-Milán E, Delgado MJ, Sánchez-Muros MJ, Madrid JA, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ (2007) Feeding entrainment of locomotor activity rhythms, digestive enzymes and neuroendocrine factors in goldfish. Physiol Behav 90:518–524

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Volkoff H, Canosa LF, Unniappan S, Cerdá-Reverter JM, Bernier NJ, Kelly SP, Peter RE (2005) Neuropeptides and the control of food intake in fish. Gen Comp Endocrinol 142:3–19

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This paper was partially funded by national (MCINN) ‘Aquagenomics’ and ‘Circasole’, and regional (SENECA) ‘Circabass’ projects to FJSV. Part of the results and discussions were presented at the COST ACTION 867 ‘Welfish’ at the Krakow and Iceland meetings.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain

    J. F. López-Olmeda & F. J. Sánchez-Vázquez

  2. Nofima Marine, Muninbakken 9-13, P.O. Box 6122, 9291, Tromsø, Norway

    C. Noble

Authors
  1. J. F. López-Olmeda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Noble
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. J. Sánchez-Vázquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. J. Sánchez-Vázquez.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

López-Olmeda, J.F., Noble, C. & Sánchez-Vázquez, F.J. Does feeding time affect fish welfare?. Fish Physiol Biochem 38, 143–152 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-011-9523-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-011-9523-y

Keywords

search

Navigation