Cobia aquaculture

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) are large marine finfish that support important aquaculture and fisheries activities throughout their global range.

The species exhibits many attributes favourable for aquaculture including:

• fast growth of up to 6kg in the first year of life.
• adaptable to farming systems
  • recirculating tanks
  • coastal marine ponds
  • sea cages
  • inland areas fed by amended groundwaters
• superior flavour and texture compared to Yellowtail Kingfish and equivalent to Atlantic Salmon
• strong market visibility and acceptance.

Several challenges face investment in the emerging cobia aquaculture sector. You need to consider:

• access to high quality water supplies
• feed costs
• disease.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and project collaborators have developed an evolving pond-to-plate framework for cobia aquaculture in Queensland. The species has shown strong potential as a diversification option for aquaculture producers in southern and northern Queensland.

Businesses have successfully adopted, at commercial scale, breeding, fingerling, and grow-out production stages. Significant opportunities exist for expanding pond-based culture of cobia throughout Queensland.

This guide provides an overview of cobia aquaculture in Queensland.