Starvation and re-feeding of Gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata ) and European seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) co-cultured with glasswort ( Salicornia europaea ) in a polyculture aquaponic system

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of starvation and refeeding on the growth and food intake of gilthead seabream ( ) and seabass ( ) and on the growth and nitrogen uptake of glasswort ( ) in a polyculture aquaponic system under 12 ppt salinity for 75 days. Nine small-scale autonomous aquaponic systems were used, each containing 10 gilthead seabreams (average weight of 6.33 ± 0.73 g and average length of 5.73 ± 0.72 cm) and 10 seabasses (5.82 ± 0.77 g and 6.35 ± 0.45 cm), as well as five glasswort plants. Three fish feeding treatments were performed, a control (A), in which fish were fed daily until satiation, and two fasting treatments for 4 (B) and 7 days (C). Fish growth performance was significantly lower (