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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #187797
Title: Cobia aquaculture research in South Carolina, USA: Captive reproduction, pond nursery production, and selected environmental requirements and juveniles

Author
item Weirich, Charles
item SMITH, THEOEORE - SOUTH CAROLINA DNR
item JENKINS, WALLACE - SOUTH CAROLINA DNR
item DENSON, MICHAEL - SOUTH CAROLINA DNR
item STOKES, ALVIN - SOUTH CAROLINA DNR
item TOMASSO, JOSEPH - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item CHAPPELL, J - SOUTHLAND FISHERIES CORP
item BURNSIDE, D - SOUTHLAND FISHERIES CORP

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2006
Publication Date: 2/1/2007
Citation: Weirich, C.R., Smith, T.I., Jenkins, W., Denson, M.R., Stokes, A.D., Tomasso, J.R., Chappell, J., Burnside, D. 2007. Cobia aquaculture research in South Carolina, USA: Captive reproduction, pond nursery production, and selected environmental requirements and juveniles. In: Lino, I.C., Leano, E.M., editors. Cobin Aquaculture: Research, Developments, and Commercial Production. Asian Fisheries Society, Fisheries Society of Tiwan, and World Aquaculture Society. p. 19-44.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Interest in the culture of cobia Rachycentron canadum in the US has increased greatly in recent years. In 2001, a five year interdisciplinary, multi-regional research effort was initiated to advance the development of cobia aquaculture in the US. In South Carolina, research was headed by the state’s Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Research Institute in conjunction with Clemson University, and Southland Fisheries Corporation. Three major research topics were addressed: (1) Development of techniques for volitional and hormone-induced spawning of captive broodstock, (2) Production of juveniles in pond nursery systems, and (3) Determination of selected environmental requirements of juveniles. Results to date indicate that using captive broodstock exhibit excellent spawning predictability and hormonal induction can be used to spawn captive and recently captured ripe fish. Females can be repeatedly spawned within a season as well as in successive years. Pond based culture systems may be useful for seasonal production of juveniles, however avian predation and suboptimal temperatures are limiting factors. Juvenile cobia can tolerate exposure to low salinity environments but the rate of acclimation is critical in defining the survival response. Moderate to high salinities are probably required for sustained growth and health of this species. Cobia can tolerate lower temperatures than previously thought, however warm temperatures are required for optimum performance. Lastly, cobia tolerate nitrite levels well above that which would typically be encountered in properly managed culture systems.