Introducing cobia ( Rachycentron canadum) as a native candidate for aquaculture to increase diversity of cultivated species in iran

Abstract

The Persian Gulf hosts great biodiversity. With 400-450 species of fish, the Persian Gulf is a unique area in terms of biodiversity. Different systems of aquaculture based on the introduction of native or non-native species have a special place in aquaculture. Species diversity in aquaculture is an attempt to maximize the benefits of species diversity such as resistance to disease, rapid growth, economic production, etc. within the framework of the ecological conditions created in aquaculture. Among species of fish in the Persian Gulf, most species belong to coastal fish, which include 85 species (65.38%), followed by pelagic fish (17 species), flounders (13 species), demersal fish (5 Species), tuna (4 species), cod and fatty fish (3 species), and unidentified marine fish (3 species). In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to marine species in Iran, accompanied by a focus on the development of aquaculture in marine environments. The cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is a fast-growing species native to tropical and semi-tropical regions. This native species of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman is a rich source of Omega-3. Currently, a large number of fish species are being harvested in the Persian Gulf. Calculation of maximum sustainable harvest quotas for each species is one of the goals of fisheries management, requiring information on fish stock