ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of short-term starvation on biological condition indices, hematological parameters and blood biochemical composition of reared spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus. Triplicate groups of juvenile fish were subjected to different feeding treatments: fed for 14 days (Group A or control); fed for seven days followed by seven days of starvation (Group B) and starved for 14 days (Group C). At the end of the experiment, body, liver, and viscera were randomly sampled for proximate composition, and biological condition indices were assessed. Blood was also collected and analyzed by standard clinical methods. Body composition, liver lipid content, hepatosomatic index, condition factor, and relative intestine length were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in starved compared to fed fish. A statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in hematocrit (12%), haemoglobin (33%), glucose (18%) and calcium (9%) levels were assessed in the blood of starved fish for 14 days, while triacylglyceride levels decreased (36%) in fish starved for 7 days, subsequently returning to values similar to control by the end of the trial. No statistically significant differences were observed in total protein, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium levels in starved fish. These hematological blood and biometric parameters seem to have potential as a predictive tool for establishing the nutritional status or physiological condition during short-term starvation of L. guttatus, which may be useful to manage and monitor feeding practices during culture of this species.