The effect of feeding regime on growth, locomotor activity pattern and the development of food anticipatory activity in greenback flounder

The mean final weight of juvenile greenback flounder Rhombosolea tapirina fed a single daily meal during the scotophase was lower than that of groups fed continuously or fed twelve, six, three or one meal during the photophase. Final weight did not differ among the latter five groups. Size variation in all groups of fish decreased during the course of the trial over 120 days. Groups assigned to a higher frequency (and hence a longer total daily meal duration) of daily meals were less active during mealtime. A distinct food anticipatory effect was observed in the groups of fish receiving a single daily meal during either photophase or scotophase, and also developed before at least one meal in the group of fish fed three meals per day.