Utilization of endogenous reserves and effects of starvation on the health of Prochilodus lineatus (Prochilodontidae)

Prochilodus lineatus Valenciennes (curimbatá) is an important migratory Neotropical fish. It does not feed during spawning migration, and often survives after spawning. The mobilization of energy reserves and some effects of starvation (zero to eight weeks) on fish health were experimentally evaluated. Hepatic glycogen and lipids from the perivisceral fat bodies were the main reserves mobilized during the first four weeks of fasting. During this period, somatic indices and blood parameters showed that fish health was not significantly affected. However, after five weeks of food deprivation, the main energy reserves were depleted and the fish became anaemic. The loss of muscle mass indicates that protein breakdown was an important energy source after the reduction of hepatic and perivisceral reserves. Mortality was increasingly observed from seven weeks of starvation. Prior accumulation of high amounts of reserves is essential to allow movements for long distances during spawning migrations in this species.