We conducted a histological analysis to investigate the influence of nutritional changes on melano-macrophages (MMs) accumulation in the kidney of sub-adult rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). Four experimental groups were established (initial control, control, fed and starved), and fed commercial feed amounting to 1-3% of their body weight for 2 weeks prior to initiation of experiments. Kidney MMs with dark brown pigment were randomly observed in the kidneys of starved fish, increasing rapidly after 4 weeks, while deposition levels remained low throughout the experiment in the control and fed groups. These results suggest that catabolic tissue breakdown is a major factor contributing to the formation of pigments within MMs. Results also suggest that the degree of MMs deposition in the kidney can be used as alternative indicators in identifying starvation in wild and cultured rock bream.