4.5. Conclusions
The present study indicates that aquatic hypoxia affects the SDA response in the air-breathing fish C. striata. Specifically, the energy allocated to digestion in hypoxia is lower, which could indicate reduced assimilation efficiency. The level of hypoxia used here is similar to that found in the current production ponds in South East Asia and on the basis of our study it seems relevant to investigate whether aeration of the ponds used to raise C. striata could enhance growth rates and possibly also food conversion efficiency. Optimising production of C. striata and other air-breathing species is crucial because aquaculture will continue to increase in importance as a source of protein, especially in Asia. Further studies including assimilation efficiency, food conversion ratio, and growth are clearly needed and should be attended by economic considerations of the costs of pond aeration.