Cobia - Rachycentron canadum
*Information from FAO Species Identification Guide Western Central Atlantic*
Size
Maximum to 200 cm; commonly to 110 cm. The IGFA all-tackle game fish record is 61.5 kg for a fish caught inWestern Australia in 1985.
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Habitat, biology, and fisheries
Coastal and continental, pelagic to depths of 50 m over waters as deep as 1 200 m; also
found over shallow coral reefs and off rocky shores, occasionally in estuaries. Feeds extensively on crabs, other benthic in-
1420 Bony Fishes Pomatomidae
Carangidae vertebrates, and fishes. Grows rapidly and reaches at least 8 years of age. Throughout most of its range, cobia are an incidental catch in other fisheries. Caught with handlines, trolling, in pound nets, driftnets, and seines. FAO statistics report landings ranging from 392 to 757 t from 1995 to 1999. Not rare in some local markets. Large size and strong fighting qualities
make cobia a favourite of coastal recreational
fishermen. Marketed mostly fresh, but holds up well as a frozen product, and also makes a fine smoked product.
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Distribution
Nearly worldwide in subtropical and tropical seas, but absent from the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Plate. Found
throughout the area from Massachusetts and
Bermuda southward to Argentina.
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