RACHYCENTRIDAE Cobia or lemon fish - Arabian Wildlife Encyclopedia

RACHYCENTRIDAE Cobia or lemon fish

Represented by a single species. Cobias are powerful fish, highly regarded by anglers. Excellent eating and fetch a high price at market. Normally caught commercially on lines.

Cobia or lemon fish Rachycentron canadus

Streamlined body, with distinctive bands of black and creamy-grey. Head broad and flat, powerful underslung jaw. Series of short spines precede dorsal fin. Superficially similar to the remora excluding sucker disc on head. Inhabits wrecks and reefs. A predator on fish, even larger specimens. A specimen of 22 kgs taken trolling between Chicago Beach and Jebel Ali had consumed an 45 cm black-tip reef shark. Also feeds on crustaceans and cuttlefish. 180 cm.