Effects of starvation and subsequent re-feeding on moulting interval, growth increment and mortality in common brown shrimp (Crangon crangon)

The common brown shrimp, Crangon crangon , plays a vital role in the coastal North Sea ecosystems, contributing significantly to the trophic dynamics. This small but highly abundant crustacean is also of economic importance, forming the basis of an approximately 400 vessel strong fishery. Specimens of the common brown shrimp, C. crangon , were deprived of food and subsequently re-fed under controlled conditions (17 ± 1.7 °C, ad libitum feeding) to investigate the effects of starvation with subsequent re-feeding on dry mass accumulation during the intermoult period, mortality and growth. Mortality was negatively affected by starvation, and re-feeding was identified as particularly critical for animal survival, as over 90% of the observed mortality occurred after the onset of re-feeding. Starvation increased the moulting interval and decreased increments after moulting, resulting in a shrinkage of up to 8% in length within 21 days. A correlation between weight loss during starvation and decrease in length was found. The comparison of dry weight conditions between starving animals and field samples suggested that shrinkage must be a more widespread phenomenon in C. crangon than previously assumed. Based on the observations, shrinkage could be identified as a physiological necessity following starvation. Accordingly, it could also occur in other crustacean species in cases where an individual’s dry mass is reduced due to starvation.