Two studies were conducted to reveal the ability of compensatory growth after food deprivation and refeeding in two sizes of red drum , Sciaenops ocellatus , weighing 8. 25 ±0.50 g and 40.41 ±2.45 g in temperature of 18 -20 ℃and 20-24 ℃respectively. Within the 30 days of experiment , both of the two results showed that each group had difference in growth, but the difference was not significant. Compared with control group , the water content and ash increased , while the lipid decreased and the protein did not significantly change in starved groups. After the starved fish were refed, their biochemical composition could reach the level of control group. As the starvation prolongs, feeding quantity reduced,but feed conversion efficiency increased. Meanwhile the oxygen consumption rate decreased and this trend stopped when the fish were refed , then the oxygen consumption rate gradually increased to the level of the control group. The results suggest that the mechanism of compensatory growth in red drum be due to the low oxygen consumption rate and high digestion and absorption after starvation.