Although the phenomenon of compensatory
growth is not clearly understood, it is due either to
hyper-phagic response by fish, higher metabolic efficiency
or the adaptation with low energy requirement
for maintenance during stunting phase that allows
more energy mobilization for growth in the later phase
. Stunting in fish during winter is common natural phenomenon in
temperate regions while intentional over-wintering has
been a common practice in aquaculture in sub-tropics. It
has been found to be profitable in grow-out culture of
channel catfish and other species
However, limited work has been carried out in reproductive
performance. During over-wintering or
stunting period, females may loose up to 80% of their
body lipids and a substantial reduction may occur in
males hampering their sexual maturation