The Black King Fish, Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is one of the candidate species suitable for farming owing to its fast growth rate and high value in domestic and international markets.  Efforts are being made in India to develop a technology for controlled breeding and seed production.  A programme including CIBA as a partner in the consortium under NAIP project was initiated for seed production and culture of Cobia.  Under this programme a viable land based broodstock in pond system was developed at CIBA.  Fishes of the size 4.0to 20.0 Kg were maintained with proper feeding, health care and water management and had attained maturity under captivity.

Matured females with ova dia around 550µ were selected and maintained in Recirculation Aquaculture System (RAS) for one month and administered with HCG hormone (when the ova dia was around 680µ) intramuscularly @ 300 IU/kg body weight for females and half the dose for males.

This achievement is an unique one since this is the first time Cobia breeding is successful using the land based domesticated broodstock maintained in the pond eco-system.  Most of the places in the world and in India, breeding of Cobia is being carried out using broodstock maintained in the open sea cages.  This achievement has opened a new avenue for simplified hatchery operation of Cobia for controlled seed production and would be a land mark for seed production of Cobia under controlled conditions and with an easy investment.  The significant achievement is made by the Fish Culture Division of Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture under the leadership of Dr.A.R.T.Arasu, under NAIP funded Project