Fish

Dusky kob

Argyrosomus japonicus

A big, silvery drum that grows to enormous size - a mainstay of surf, estuary and reef.

Also known as cob, daga salmon kob, kabeljou, kob

Dusky kob
Photo: scubajulie · CC BY-NC 4.0
Typical size
Attains around 70 kg
Habitat
Estuaries, surf and inshore reef

The kob is a large, silvery member of the drum family, with grey or brown fins and a dark blotch at the top of the pectoral base. It is a heavyweight predator that reaches around 70 kg, moving between estuaries, the surf zone and inshore reef.

Juveniles use estuaries as nurseries, while the big adults range along the open coast. It is one of South Africa's most important angling and food fishes.

Seen at these spots