Science Name: | Rachycentron canadum |
Other Names: | ling, lemonfish, crab eater, bacalo |
World Record: | 135 lbs. Australia |
Environment: | offshore |
Techniques: | medium tackle, trolling |
Description
Habitat
Cobias prefer the shallow waters (less than 60 feet deep) of the Southeastern
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. They are commonly found near natural or manmade
structures such as reefs, wrecks, floating, objects, buoys and shelves. Little
information is confirmed regarding their migratory patterns, although it is
known that they move from inshore to offshore environs throughout the year. They
will spwan offshore in the late spring (April and May) and the larvae will move
shoreward. Young cobias will form large schools, evenually becoming more
solitary as they mature.
Feeding Habits
Although cobia eat fishes such as mackerels and eels, the bulk of the diet is
crustaceans-shrimps and crabs. Thus the common name, crab eater.