A 6-month long growth trial was conducted to evaluate three commercial feeds: Skretting (Turkey), Biomar (Greece), and Arasco (Saudi Arabia) in juvenile sobaity, Sparidentex hasta. For confidentiality, these feeds were randomly given code names diets 1, 2 and 3 and trash fish was used as diet 4 (control). Protein in commercial diets ranged between 47.17 and 48.80% while trash fish had 57.40% protein (% dry basis). Sobaity juveniles (51.39±0.63 g) were stocked at the rate of 50fish/tank, each treatment with three replicates. Fish were fed twice daily at satiation level. The results showed that diet 2 (48.80% protein) resulted in significantly (P<0.05) better weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, apparent net protein utilization and energy retention compared to other diets. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences between the weight gain and SGR values of fish fed diet 1 (48.50% protein) and trash fish (57.40% protein) while diet 3 resulted in the lowest weight gain and SGR. The muscle fatty acid composition reflected the dietary fatty acids particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) and n-3/n-6 ratios which were significantly higher in fish fed diet 2. The results showed that diet 2 (48.80% protein) may be recommended for culture of sobaity in Kuwait.

The objective of the study was to find a cost-effective feed from three commercial feeds, namely, Arasco (Saudi Arabia), Skretting (Turkey), and Biomar (Greece) for commercially producing silver black porgy (sobaity bream), in Kuwait. For confidentiality, these feeds were randomly given code names, diets 1, 2, and 3, which were known only to the investigating staffs. The trash fish (diet 4) was used as the control. The experiment was conducted for 28 wk with grow-out sobaity bream (210.0 ± 0.51 g) using a flow-through system consisting of twelve 1-m tanks. There were three replicates for each treatment. Fish were fed two times daily at satiation level. The results showed that fish fed diet 2 resulted in significantly ( > 0.05) better growth performance, feed utilization, and higher fillet eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content compared to other diets. A comparison of fillet quality of cultured and wild sobaity bream showed no significant ( > 0.05) difference between sensory attributes, except that of 'flavor' in cooked fillets of wild sobaity bream. A simple economic analysis showed that the cost per kilogram of fish production was significantly ( > 0.05) the lowest in diet 2 (USD4.13), followed by diet 1 (USD5.70), diet 4 (USD6.33), and diet 3 (USD6.92). Thus, based on growth performance, feed utilization, cost of production, and nutritional quality of fillet, it is concluded that diet 2 may be recommended for commercial culture of sobaity bream in Kuwait. However, future research should focus on how to improve fillet quality of the cultured fish at par with wild fish by manipulating the feed formulation.

The objective of the study was to investigate the seasonal variations in proximate and fatty acid composition of wild sobaity (Sparidentex hasta) for a one-year period during (i) pre-spawning (October–December), (ii) spawning (January–March), (iii) post-spawning (April–June) and summer (July–September). Five male and five female fish were collected from market each month and used for the study. Skinless fillets from both sides of sobaity were taken, chopped, minced, frozen and freeze dried. Freeze-dried ground male and female fish samples were pooled separately and homogenized for proximate composition and fatty acid analysis. The results of the investigation showed that the muscle proximate composition and fatty acid profile of sobaity differed significantly (P < 0.05) among different seasons with the highest muscle lipid during the pre-spawning and spawning season. Palmitic acid (C16:0) was the most dominant muscle fatty acid followed by oleic acid (C18:1n-9). The muscle docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) levels in pre-spawning and spawning seasons were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those in other seasons. A good n-3/n-6 ratio (2.26–3.11) and the higher DHA levels (10.16–11.47%) observed in muscles during the pre-spawning and spawning season indicated a better nutritional value of sobaity at this time of the year.