The nutritional effect of Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri cultured with different seaweed extracts on the larval development,growth and survival of the marine shrimp,Penaeus indicus

The microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri were cultured with seaweed extract (SWE) from six different seaweeds and each SWE was used either as a supplement or as an alternative media to conventional f/2 medium. Microalgae cultured with only the f/2 media acted as the control treatment. I. galbana and C. muelleri were then fed to Penaeus indicus larvae, either singly or in combination, for 8 days to evaluate its nutritional quality. Shrimp larvae fed on microalgae cultured in f/2 media supplemented with SWE from Ulva lactuca or Enteromorpha intestinalis moulted faster (P < 0.05) to the second mysis stage compared with the control. Survival, total length and growth rates were better in shrimp larvae fed on microalgae previously cultured in media supplemented with SWE. In general, shrimp larvae fed microalgae cultured entirely in SWE performed equally well compared with the control. Shrimp larvae fed on mixed microalgae (I. galbana + C. muelleri) showed significantly better growth, survival and development compared with larvae on either single microalgal diet. It was concluded that microalgae cultured with SWE could be used as a low‐cost alternative media in producing live food for the hatchery production of shrimp larvae.     

Microalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Isochrysis galbana</Emphasis> in feed for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trachinotus ovatus</Emphasis>: effect on growth performance and fatty acid composition of fish fillet and liver

Seeking alternatives to the depleting fish oil are crucial for marine fish aquaculture, which is currently dependent on fish oil as the primary source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs). Five isonitrogenous (46% crude protein) and isolipidic (16% crude lipid) feed diets (FO, ISO2.9, ISO4.8, ISO6.7, ISO8.6) were formulated by partially replacing fish oil with microalgae Isochrysis galbana. These diets were fed to triplicate tanks of Trachinotus ovatus (mean initial weight 1.92 g) for 80 days. This work demonstrates that a moderate inclusion (around 4.5–5.0 wt%, equivalent to the replacement of 24–26 wt% fish oil) of I. galbana biomass in fish diet improves fish growth performance, lipid deposition and enhances total n-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA contents in neutral and polar lipids (PLs) of fish muscle and liver of T. ovatus. The results disclosed in this study suggest that I. galbana microalgae represents a potential high-quality substitute for fish-based ingredients in aquaculture feeds, which can be a promising sustainable solution to resolve the depleting fish oil resource in a cost-effective manner.     

Changes in fatty acids profile,monosaccharide profile and protein content during batch growth of Isochrysis galbana (T.iso)

To investigate the nutritional value of the marine micro‐alga Isochrysis galbana Tahitian Isochrysis strain (T.iso) as an alternative feed for aquaculture during culture age, its biochemical composition was studied under autotrophic and controlled culture conditions at different growth stages: exponential phase, early and late stationary phases and decay phase. Analysis showed that C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:4 (n‐3) and C22:6 (n‐3) were the most abundant fatty acids in this alga at different growth stages. The highest values of monounsaturated fatty acids were recorded at the late stationary and the decay phases. However, the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were observed at the early stationary phase. At all growth stages, I. galbana (T.iso) contained arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose. Glucose represented the main sugar, and its content per dry alga biomass weight increased with increasing age of the culture and reached about fourfold in the decay phase. The maximum protein content was also observed during this last phase.     

Effects of microalgal diets on larval growth and survival of Paphia malabarica chemnitz

The effects of food availability on the larval growth and survival of Paphia malabarica were studied in two experiments by feeding the larvae with six algal diets. Newly hatched larvae of P. malabarica were fed with six different marine microalgae species, singly and in a combination of two species. The best growth was with Isochrysis galbana and Nannochloropsis salina as a single species of diet. The nutritional value of single‐species diets was in the order of N. salina, I. galbana, Dicrateria inornata, Chaetoceros calcitrans, Tetraselmis gracilis and Dunaliella salina. Of the mixtures tested, 50%I. galbana/50%N. salina supported growth and metamorphosis equivalent to those of the I. galbana control.     

Biochemical composition of juvenile cultured vs. wild silver pomfret, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pampus argenteus</Emphasis>: determining the diet for cultured fish

We evaluated the biochemical composition of juvenile cultured and wild silver pomfret Pampus argenteus. Cultured silver pomfret (SF) had significantly (P < 0.05) lower crude protein content and higher crude lipid content than wild SF. Concentrations of almost all amino acids, except glycine and arginine, were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in wild SF compared to cultured SF. Further, wild SF had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentration of total amino acids (TAA), essential amino acids (EAA), and a higher essential amino acid index (EAAI) than cultured SF. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) in cultured SF were significantly higher than in wild SF. However, the content of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and n-3 fatty acids in wild SF was significantly higher than in cultured SF. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in cultured and wild SF were not significantly different. Fatty acids C16:0 and C18:1 were the principal fatty acids of the SFAs and MUFAs, respectively, in both cultured and wild SF. The results will be useful for determining the dietary requirements for culture of SF.     

Growth and kinetics of lipids and fatty acids of the clam Venerupis pullastra during larval development and postlarvae

This study examines the larval development, metamorphosis and postlarval stage of Venerupis pullastra in relation to growth, lipids content and fatty acid composition, specifically those believed to be essential for most bivalves (i.e. 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3). Clam larvae were fed with two species of microalgae supplied individually or mixed –Isochrysis galbana and Tetraselmis suecica–species normally used in bivalve hatcheries. Larvae fed with T. suecica showed a progressive accumulation of lipids and fatty acids but did not survive to metamorphosis. Contrarily, larvae fed with I. galbana or mixed diet showed a progressive decline in lipids and essential fatty acids (20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3) from the pediveliger stage onwards, and a survival rate of 95% until the start of metamorphosis. The lower content in n‐6 and the absence of 22:6n‐3 in T. suecica diet might contribute to the massive mortality observed for larvae fed with this diet. That diet seems to fail in the supply of some particular nutrient that allows energetic transformation of reserves for growth and metamorphosis. Nevertheless, larvae fed on mixture diet showed higher weight growth values at postlarval stage than those larvae fed on I. galbana diet.     

Effect of algal species and concentration on development and fatty acid composition of two harpacticoid copepods,Tisbe sp. and Tachidius discipes,and a discussion about their suitability for marine fish larvae

We compared the development and fatty acid content of the harpacticoid copepods Tachidius discipes and Tisbe sp. fed with different microalgal species (Dunaliella tertiolecta, Rhodomonas sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Isochrysis galbana and a concentrate of Pavlova sp.), which differed in cell size and fatty acid composition. Tisbe could develop in 11 days with every alga to the same average stage, whereas Tachidius developed poorly when fed with Isochrysis and Dunaliella. Feeding with Phaeodactylum resulted in a fast development of both copepods at low algal concentrations. However, reproduction was higher with Rhodomonas as food than with the other algae. Fatty acid compositions of copepods were influenced by their food source, but both were able to convert docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from precursors. Tachidius fed with Rhodomonas or Phaeodactylum was closest to the DHA/EPA/arachidonic acid (ARA) ratio of 10 : 5 : 1 considered optimal for some marine fish larvae. Tachidius showed similar development and reproduction capacity as Tisbe, but requested higher absolute fatty acid contents in the diet. Tisbe was superior in the utilization of bacteria as additional food source and the bioconversion of precursor fatty acids. Phaeodactylum and Rhodomonas are recommendable food sources for both copepod species, but Phaeodactylum is more easily cultured.     

Enriching rotifers with “premium” microalgae. Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T-ISO

The effect of semi-continuous culture on the nutritional value of microalgae was tested in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis in short-term enrichment experiments. Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T-ISO was cultured semi-continuously with renewal rates from 10 to 50% of the volume of the culture per day and used to feed the rotifers. After 24 h, dramatic differences in dry weight and protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents were observed in the rotifers depending on the renewal rate applied to the microalgal culture. Rotifers fed T-ISO cultured with low renewal rates showed low dry weight and organic content, whereas rotifers fed microalgae from nutrient-sufficient, high renewal rate cultures showed higher dry weight and increases up to 60% in protein, 35% in lipid and 100% in carbohydrate contents. Feed conversion rate (FCR) and organic FCR decreased with increasing renewal rates, indicating a more efficient assimilation of the microalgal biomass obtained at high growth rates. The fatty acid profile of rotifers reflected that of T-ISO, with maximum content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) being found in the rotifers fed microalgae from the renewal rate of 40%. Results demonstrate that the biochemical composition of B. plicatilis is strongly modified through the use of semi-continuous cultures of microalgae in short-term enrichment processes. This technique provides an excellent tool to improve the nutritional value of the live feed used in fish larvae cultures.     

Diet trials on tehuelche scallop Aequipecten tehuelchus (d''Orb) larvae

Laboratory spawned one week old veliger larvaeof the tehuelche scallop, Aequipectentehuelchus (D'Orb., 1846), were reared topedivelger stage under three different dietaryregimes in order to determine the best algalcombination under standard hatchery conditions.Veligers were cultured at mean densities of 2.7larvae/ml. Larval growth and survival wereassessed on larvae fed the following dietarytreatments: (1) Isochrysis galbana(T-Iso)+ Chaetoceros calcitrans, (2)Pavlova lutheri + C calcitrans, and (3)P. lutheri + I. galbana T-Iso +Ch. calcitrans. The highest growth rateswere detected on larvae fed diets includingP. lutheri.     

Ingestion,fecundity and population growth of Harpacticus sp. (Harpacticoida,copepod) fed on five species of algae

We investigated the ingestion, fecundity and population growth of Harpacticus sp. fed on monodiet or mixed diets to evaluate the effects of different algae on Harpacticus sp. Harpacticus sp. fed on diatoms (Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros curvisetus) had higher ingestion and pellet production. Time to attain 100% in proportions of gravid females differed, with quickest to slowest: S. costatum, C. curvisetus, Gymnodinium sp. and Heterosigma akashiwo, with the exception of Prymnesium parvum (≤16.67%). S. costatum or C. curvisetus produced higher populations than the other three diets, supported complete development to adulthood, and resulted in doubling copepod population within four days, while no population growth occurred for the other three diets. Mixed‐diet experiments showed that egg production and gross growth efficiencies reduced significantly when fed on H. akashiwo, Gymnodinium sp. or P. parvum mixed with Isochrysis galbana, in comparison with 100% I. galbana. Thus, S. costatum and C. curvisetus were beneficial foods while the other three diets were potentially toxic for Harpacticus sp. The data in this article provide further recognition of nutrient deficiency or toxicity of different algae on copepods.     

The effect of food quality on glycogen content,the fatty acid profile and winter mortality in cultivated oyster spat (Ostrea edulis)

Winter mortality in hatchery reared oyster spat (Ostrea edulis) that received three different diets during the summer period was investigated. Oysters fed a natural type diet had a winter mortality of 18.3 ± 6.3% while oysters fed cultivated algae (a mixture of Tetraselmis suecica, Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros muelleri) had a mortality of 73.0 ± 9.7%. A group of oysters fed a mix between the two diets had a mortality of 54.7 ± 10.6%. Tissue samples were taken at the start of the experiment, after the summer period and after the winter period in order to determine growth and the content of glycogen and fatty acids. The glycogen content decreased for all groups during the winter but the decrease was highest in oysters fed the natural diet. This group also contained the largest variety of fatty acids, but there was no difference in the content of the essential fatty acids EPA, DPA and DHA between the groups. It is concluded that transplantation of spat to the sea in spring and early summer may reduce winter mortality since the feeding period on a more varied natural algal diet is prolonged compared to transplantation of spat later in the season.     

Effect of three diets on the gametogenic development and fatty acid profile of Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) gonads

In this study, the effects of three diets were investigated to enhance Paracentrotus lividus production for commercial purposes. P. lividus were fed ad libitum for 80 days with: diet A—fresh Codium tomentosum Stackhouse, 1797; diet B—formulated using a jellified mix of macroalgae and vegetables, including C. tomentosum (20%), Coralina sp. Linnaeus, 1758 (17%), cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata Linnaeus, 1753 (30%), carrot Daucus carota Linnaeus, 1753 (30%) and agar (3%) as a gelling agent. Diet C consisted of maize Zea mays Linnaeus, 1753 (56%) and New Zealand spinach Tetragonia tetragonoides (Pallas, 1781) Kuntze, 1891 (44%). Their effects on the gonadal and somatic growths, gonadosomatic index (GI) and gametogenesis were evaluated, as well as on the total lipid content and fatty acid composition of sea urchin's gonads. Diet A provided high values of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Gonads of sea urchins fed with diet A were found mostly in growth and maturation stages of gametogenesis and showed the lowest lipid content. Sea urchins fed with diet B presented their gonads in the reabsorption stage and had the highest values of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Sea urchins fed with diet C were in the early stages of gametogenesis and had the highest values of lipid content, plus omega‐6 PUFAs. Once as an ingredient in a balanced mix with vegetables, C. tomentosum can be a key factor to the development of new promising high‐quality and low‐cost feed for P. lividus roe enhancement.     

Carotenoid Pigments Composition of Two Commonly Discarded Decapod Crustaceans in Grand Sole and the Galician-Northern Portugal Coast Fisheries

ABSTRACT

Carotenoid composition of two commonly discarded decapod crustaceans, Liocarcinus depurator and Munida spp., was assessed in different catching months. Total carotenoid content ranged between 7 ± 1 and 22.4 ± 0.7 μg g^?1. Pigment separation was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector. Astaxanthin accounted for 21 to 50% of total carotenoids, and the remaining percentage corresponded mainly to esters of astaxanthin. The fatty acid profile of carotenoid extracts for each species was evaluated. Overall total unsaturated fatty acids content ranged from 406 to 1,631 μg g^?1. Both species were rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which on average represented 68% of total unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, the use of these low value by-catch species as a source of carotenoid pigments and fatty acids (e.g., for aquaculture formulations) is a possible alternative to their disposal at sea.     

Proximate and Fatty Acid Compositions in Different Flesh Cuts of Cultured,Cultured Fasted,and Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus orientalis)

This study was carried out to determine the differences in proximate and fatty acid (FA) compositions in different flesh cuts of the most valuable cephalic portion of cultured (full-cycle), cultured fasted (full-cycle), and wild Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT; Thunnus orientalis). Cultured fasted PBTs were fasted for 6 days to ensure empty stomachs during harvesting and to determine the influence of fasting on the lipid and FA composition in different flesh cuts. Significantly higher lipid contents were observed (p < 0.05) in the dorsal akami (lean part) and the ventral o-toro (very fatty part) flesh cuts in cultured and cultured fasted PBTs than in wild ones. However, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents in all flesh cuts were significantly higher in cultured and cultured fasted PBTs than in wild PBT. Wild PBTs contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents than other cultured PBTs in all flesh cuts except for the dorsal akami and wakaremi (fatty part near dorsal fin) flesh parts, and contained higher n-3 FA content than other PBTs—especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3)—in the lipid fraction from the dorsal chu-toro (medium fatty part), ventral akami, ventral chu-toro, o-toro, and in dark flesh cuts. The flesh quality of cultured or cultured fasted PBTs has the advantage of having a higher total amount of essential FAs than that of wild PBT.     

Assessment of the fecundity,population growth and fatty acid composition of Apocyclops royi (Cyclopoida,Copepoda) fed on different microalgal diets

The brackish cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops royi is used in Taiwanese aquaculture industry as a prey for fish larvae. This study investigated the effects of seven microalgal diets, namely single‐species diets of Isochrysis galbana (ISO), Nannochloropsis oculata (NAN), and Tetraselmis chui (TET), two‐species diets (ISO+NAN, ISO+TET and TET+NAN), and a three‐species diet (ISO+NAN+TET), on the population growth, female fecundity and fatty acid composition of A. royi. For reproductive traits, the combination ISO+NAN was found to be the most supportive diet for both population growth and female fecundity. For nutritional value, copepods fed ISO and ISO+NAN were detected to have the highest content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (18.99% and 10.73% total fatty acid, respectively) and, more importantly, a high DHA/EPA ratio (6.09 and 4.09, respectively). Additionally, a comparison of fatty acid composition between copepods and microalgae gives a tentative indication that A. royi may have the ability to synthesize long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from short‐chain PUFA. Our findings illustrate that ISO+NAN is the most suitable microalgal diet for mass culturing A. royi because it increases productivity and enhances the nutritional value of the copepods for use as fish larvae prey.     

Embryonic development and influence of egg density on early veliger larvae and effects of dietary microalgae on growth of brown mussel Perna perna (L. 1758) larvae under laboratory conditions

The effect of egg density on embryonic development and larval quality as well as the lipid and fatty acid contents (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) of cultured microalgae fed to Perna perna larvae was studied under controlled conditions to provide information needed for development of an experimental hatchery. Embryonic development followed the common sequence exhibited by other bivalves. d-larva stage was attained 40–44 h post-fertilisation at 21 ± 1 °C. The umbo-stage was reached in 11 days, and pediveliger larvae were observed 26 days post-fertilisation. Low egg density (range 20–100 eggs cm^?2) produced high proportions of normal d-larvae. Larval development showed two growth phases: 1st—the mixotrophic stage and 2nd—the exotrophic stage where the composition of diets had significant effects on larval growth with higher rates in larvae fed with the mixed microalgae (Isochrysis galbana + Chaetoceros calcitrans, I. galbana + Phaeodactylum tricornutum and I. galbana + Skeletonema costatum) in comparison with the monospecific diet (I. galbana). Fatty acid analysis showed that larval growth and survival were strongly influenced by proportions of dietary DHA and EPA. These results indicate that DHA and EPA are the key factors in determining larval performance, considerably more than the total amount of other fatty acids.     

Suitability of the copepod, Acartia clausi as a live feed for Seabass larvae (Lates calcarifer Bloch): Compared to traditional live-food organisms with special emphasis on the nutritional value

Though artificial propagation of Asian seabass Lates calcarifer (Bloch) in captivity through induced breeding techniques is standardized under Indian conditions, larval and nursery rearing techniques including suitable nursery feeds have to be standardized to obtain better survival and growth. Feeding experiments in triplicate were conducted to evaluate the suitability of the marine copepod Acartia clausi as live prey for fourteen day-old seabass larvae (6.53 ± 0.06 mm; 8.58 ± 0.33 mg) and compared with the traditional live prey, rotifers and Artemia nauplii. While A. clausi and rotifers were mass produced using algae Isochrysis galbana, Chaetoceros affinis and Chlorella marina, Artemia nauplii were produced using cysts. Nutritional quality of cultured copepods was evaluated based on the proximate composition, amino acid and fatty acid composition, and compared with that of rotifers and Artemia nauplii. Proximate composition varied significantly (P < 0.05) among the different live feeds. A. clausi showed higher protein (63.12%) and lipid (16.65%) content than Artemia nauplii and rotifers. Total essential amino acids content was 2% lower in A. clausi compared to that in Artemia nauplii. Fatty acid profiles of the live feed organisms showed that A. clausi is a rich source of n − 3 fatty acids. The total n − 3 fatty acid content of A. clausi was 33.94%. Length, weight overall weight gain and survivorship were significantly (P < 0.05) different among the dietary treatments, and weight gain was comparatively higher in A. clausi fed larvae. Survival of seabass larvae fed A. clausi was obtained highest as 58.13% against the lower values of 39.93% and 41.62% in larvae fed rotifer and Artemia nauplii respectively. Final carcass composition of the larvae of L. calcarifer fed different live-food organisms showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among the dietary treatments. The fatty acid composition of the dietary treatments was reflected to a certain extent in the fatty acid composition of the seabass larvae. The present investigation revealed the nutritional value of calanoid copepod and thus underlining its usefulness as a suitable live-food organism for rearing larvae of the commercially valuable Asian seabass.     

Use of microalgal‐enriched Diaphanosoma celebensis Stingelin, 1900 for rearing Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) postlarvae

The present work investigates the effects of Chaetoceros calcitrans, Nannochloropsis oculata, Tetraselmis tetrahele and Isochrysis galbana diets on the lifespan, growth, neonate production and the nutritional profile of Diaphanosoma celebensis. In addition, the effects of enriched D. celebensis on the survival and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae (PLs) was compared with Artemia. Results showed that significantly higher (P < 0.05) neonate production of D. celebensis was attained when fed with C. calcitrans compared to the other microalgae. In addition, D. celebensis fed on C. calcitrans had significantly higher levels (P < 0.05) of protein, lipid and carbohydrate compared to the other three microalgae. On the other hand, D. celebensis had a significantly (P < 0.05) longer lifespan when fed on N. oculata and T. tetrahele compared to those fed with C. calcitrans and I. galbana. Shrimp PLs fed D. celebensis enriched with C. calcitrans had higher survival and specific growth rate but it was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from PL fed only Artemia, indicating that D. celebensis has potential to be used as live feed for the hatchery rearing of L. vannamei PLs, in place of Artemia. This study illustrated that the quality of the D. celebensis production and proximate composition was highly correlated with the food type, and it can be used as a valuable live feed for shrimp larviculture.     

Dietary fatty acid composition influences swimming performance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in seawater

Swimming performance was measured in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.) fed one of four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets, in which the supplemental lipid (25% of diet) originated either solely from menhaden oil (rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 series; n-3 HUFA), or from different proportions of this oil and canola oil (rich in 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids).The results indicate that dietary fatty acid composition influenced swimming performance in Atlantic salmon through changes in maximum swimming speed (U_crit). Salmon fed a diet in which menhaden oil furnished all of the supplemental lipid had a significantly lower U_crit than those fed a diet in which the supplemental lipid was an equal blend of menhaden and canola oil. Furthermore, there was a highly significant linear relationship between dietary and/or muscle levels of particular fatty acids or groups of fatty acids and U_crit.There was a negative relationship between dietary n-3 HUFA content and U_crit, but there was no relationship between U_crit and muscle n-3 HUFA content nor between U_crit and the levels of the eicosanoids thromboxane A₂ and prostacyclin, or of their ratio, in the heart and gills of fatigued salmon. These results indicate that the differences in exercise performance were not a result of differences in n-3 HUFA metabolism amongst the dietary groups.Indeed, although there was a highly significant positive relationship between U_crit and total n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio of muscle lipids, this was largely due to the associated positive relationship between U_crit and content of the most common n-6 fatty acid in muscle lipids, linoleic acid. There was also a significant positive relationship between content in muscle lipids of the most prominent fatty acid in canola oil, oleic acid, and U_crit. It is suggested that metabolism of these 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids accounts for the effects of the diets on exercise performance.     

Growth performance and nutritional composition of Sepia pharaonis under artificial culturing conditions

This study investigated the growth performance and nutritional composition of scale artificially cultured cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis. Juveniles were cultured in an open‐culturing cement pool system for 120 days. The body weight increased from 10.21 ± 1.44 g to 570.71 ± 126.32 g from 50 days old to 170 days old, and the average growth rate was 4.67%. The proximate, amino acid and fatty acid compositions of S. pharaonis muscles were analysed every 40 days to compare the quality. The cultured S. pharaonis were rich in essential amino acids (EAAs), functional amino acids (FAAs), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which accounted for 32%, 46%, 28% and 54% (dry weight) respectively. Total amino acids (TAAs) and EAAs exhibited a clear distinction between ages, and significant differences were observed among the levels of individual amino acids, including Pro, Ala, Asp and Lys, which were significantly higher at 130–170 days old than at 50 days old (p < 0.05). Although the total saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and PUFAs were statistically similar between ages, C17:0, C22:6 n‐3 and PUFAs were higher at 130–170 days old than at 50 days old (p < 0.05). The results indicate that large‐scale artificial culture of S. pharaonis can be achieved under the conditions of a cement pool. This study also provides new information regarding the growth performance and nutritional composition of cultured S. pharaonis, which will contribute to the development of aquaculture practices for this species.