Cobia, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766)

Scientific name: Rachycentron canadum
Alternative name/s:
Black King, Black Kingfish, Cobe, Crab Eater, Lemon Fish, Ling, Sergeant Fish
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    15/02/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Cobia, Rachycentron canadum Click to enlarge image
A Cobia caught at a depth of less than 5 m, off the public jetty at Crowdy Head, northern New South Wales, December 2005. Image: Tim Martin
© Tim Martin

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Rachycentron
    Species
    canadum
    Family
    Rachycentridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to about 2 m in length.

Introduction

The Cobia occurs in continental shelf waters of the tropical Atlantic and Indo-west Pacific. it is is the only species in the family Rachycentridae.

Identification

The Cobia has an elongate body with very short dorsal fin spines. There is a dark stripe on the side of the body, below which is a pale stripe that darkens after death. The Cobia is the only species in the family Rachycentridae.

Cobia, Rachycentron canadum
Cobia, Rachycentron canadum - tail

Distribution

The Cobia is a pelagic species that occurs in continental shelf waters of the tropical Atlantic and Indo-west Pacific. In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the central coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

Dietary items include mainly crustaceans, as well as smaller fishes and squid.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Collette, B.B. Rachycentridae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem. 1999. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 4. Bony fishes part 2 (Mugilidae to Carangidae). FAO. Rome Pp. iii-v, 2069-2790.
  3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.