Diving with Cobia

Lanta Marine Life | Rachycentridae

The family Rachycentridae contains a single genus, Rachycentron, of which there is a single species, Rachycentron canadum, the Cobia. Occasionally spotted while diving around Koh Lanta.

Other common names include Black Kingfish, Black Salmon, Ling and Lemonfish.

The family Rachycentridae resembles its close relatives, the remoras of the family Echeneidae, however they lack the remora's dorsal sucker and have a more stout body.

1 species found on this page:

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Cobia

(Rachycentron canadum)

Cobias are swift-moving, voracious, predatory fish growing up to 1.8 m in length. The lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw and the head is rather flat. This is a dark coloured fish with brown sides, each with two long brown stripes. The belly is often a lighter brownish, yellowish colour.

Rachycentron canadum @ Koh Haa

The distinctive dorsal fin, with several short spines and a long, soft ray, together with the horizontally carried pectoral fins and long upper tail fin lobe give this species the profile of a shark.

Rachycentron canadum @ Koh Haa

Cobias feed on crabs, fishes and squid, and are often found over sand and rubble reef bottoms or in small schools accompanying whale sharks, or other large marine animals such as large rays.