Abstract Cobia, Rachycentron canadum, is a widely distributed species from the Indo-Pacific waters to the southern Atlantic Ocean. In Taiwan, it is an indigenous and an ideal species for cage culture. Due to its high market value in both domestic and international markets, the technology for | ELSEVIER Available online at Aquaculture Aquaculture 237 2004 155-165 locate aqua-online Cobia culture in Taiwan current status and problems I Chiu Liaoa b Ting-Shih Huangc Wann-Sheng Tsaic Cheng-Ming Hsuehd Su-Lean Change Eduardo M. Leafioa aNational Taiwan Ocean University Keelung 202 Taiwan b National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Pingtung 912 Taiwan cPenghu Marine Biology Research Center Fisheries Research Institute Paisha Penghu 884 Taiwan dNo. 32 Nei-an Village Siyu Township Penghu Taiwan e Tungkang Marine Laboratory Fisheries Research Institute Pingtung 928 Taiwan Received 18 November 2003 received in revised form 27 February 2004 accepted 2 March 2004 Abstract Cobia Rachycentron canadum is a widely distributed species from the Indo-Pacific waters to the southern Atlantic Ocean. In Taiwan it is an indigenous and an ideal species for cage culture. Due to its high market value in both domestic and international markets the technology for its culture has rapidly developed in the past few years. These include mass propagation through natural spawning of captive broodstocks larval rearing techniques nursery production in tanks ponds and nearshore cages and grow-out culture in offshore cages. Reproduction in captivity is relatively easy because sexual maturity often occurs within 2 years of culture. Spontaneous spawning occurs year around at water temperatures of 23-27 C with peak during spring and autumn. Fertilized eggs hatch within 21-37 h at water temperature of 31-22 C. Larval growth is fast and larvae are vitally robust and environment tolerant compared to other marine fishes. Fry can be mass-produced in outdoor ponds at relatively low cost. Weaning of fry from 20 days old onwards to pellet feeds is feasible. Nursery rearing from 10-30 to 1000 g can be done in either outdoor ponds or nearshore cages. Major diseases affecting cobia include bacterial pasteurellosis vibriosis and streptococcosis parasitic .
