Aquaculture of cobia

[3] Currently, cobia are cultured in nurseries and grow-out offshore cages in many parts of Asia and off the coast of the United States, Mexico and Panama.

In Taiwan cobia weighing 100–600 grams are cultured for 1–1.5 years to reach the 6–8 kilograms (13–18 lb) needed for export to Japan.

[4] After China and Taiwan, Vietnam is the third largest producer of farmed cobia in the world where production was estimated at 1500 tonnes in 2008.

[2] The possibility is also being examined of growing hatchery reared cobia in offshore cages around Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

[5] Greater depths, stronger currents, and distance from shore all act to reduce the environmental impacts often associated with fin fish aquaculture.

Also, diseases in the nursery stage and the grow-out culture can result in low survival rates and a poor harvest.

[5] Phytoplankton concentrations are maintained, and enriched Artemia nauplii and rotifers are fed to the cobia larvae for 3–7 days after they hatch.

Even though water quality and food can be controlled, it has been shown that high rearing densities may still affect growth and survival of the larvae through responses related to crowding.

After an 8-week growth trial, juvenile cobia displayed a peak in their weight gain with a dietary protein concentration of 44.5%.

[18][5][7] Offshore aquaculture, regardless of the species, is beneficial because it can avoid conflict with recreational activities and local fisherman, as well as potentially improving the coastal aesthetics.