Cobia

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 in Western Australia in 1985.

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 invertebrates, 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 favorite of coastal recreational anglers. Marketed mostly fresh, but holds up well as a frozen product, and also makes a fine smoked product.

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.