The evaluation of nutritional requirements, valuable nutrition and sea cage culture of cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Cobia, Rachycentron canadum, is an important species for aquaculture worldwide. This species exhibits fast growth and can reach between 4 and 6 kg in 1 year. Cobia are carnivores and their protein and lipid requirements are 44.5 and 5.76 % respectively. In addition, to achieve optimal specific growth rate for cobia, a dietary carbohydrate supplementation of 21.1 is required. In environmental condition, fish is the predominant diet composition for cobia with 95.3%, followed by squid (3.1%), crab (1.5%), and shrimp (0.07%). The protein and lipid contents in cobia fillets were 20.3 and 6 % of wet weight respectively. The amount of total EPA + DHA in the cobia fillets was 0.2 g/100 g-1. Expenses related to feed, fingerlings and labor were the most important components of the operational costs in cobia cage culture. Therefore, cobia as a native species, is the candidate species for introducing to cage culture in Iran due to its fast growth.