Fish
Cobia Prodigal Son
Rachycentron canadum
A big, dark, torpedo-shaped ocean roamer that shadows sharks and rays, prized by spearos and anglers for its game fight and fine flesh.
Also known as kobia
- Typical size
- Attains about 2 m and 50 kg
- Habitat
- Offshore over the continental shelf, often with sharks and rays
The cobia, or prodigal son, is dark brownish with a silvery band along the body (two in juveniles) and white-edged tail. It is a large fish, reaching around 2 m and 50 kg, often mistaken at a glance for the remoras it swims alongside over the continental shelf.
Adults migrate into South African waters mainly in summer and occasionally push as far as False Bay. It feeds largely on crustaceans and is a superb sporting fish that fights gamely and jumps repeatedly. Despite the parasitic worms often found in its stomach, the flesh is good eating.