Total feed intake tfi g fish 1 on a as fed basiscumulative feed distributed feed refusals number of fish feed intake of initial weight100xtfi ibw feed efficiency fewet weight gain feed intake protein efficiency ratiowet weight gain protein intake . The regulation of feed intake consists of several overlapping neural and endocrine pathways involved in negative as well as positive feedback mechanisms several centres in the brain are responsible for the capture and integration of internal and external signals. Regulation of food intake metabolic expenditure cannot exceed food intake for very long if an animal is to survive one way to equalize the two processes is to decrease metabolism to a level sustainable by maximum intake which may be limited by the ability to extract food from a meagre habitat. Introduction feed intake control mechanisms introduction the control of feed intake and regulation of energy balance are influenced by a number of factors a regula tor of body energy content is apparently interfaced with a controller of feed intake that maintains a balance of energy input and output under normal conditions how ever under certain circumstances the system can be