Dry Tortugas Fish Identification

Cobia (ling)

Family Rachycentridae, COBIA
Rachycentron canadum

Description: long, slim fish with broad depressed head; lower jaw projects past upper jaw; dark lateral stripe extends through eye to tail; first dorsal fin comprised of 7 to 9 free spines; when young, has conspicuous alternating black and white horizontal stripes.

Similar Fish: remora, Echeneis naucrates.

Found in The Dry Tortugas: Common on wrecks and occasional on other structures..

Size: common to 25 pounds.

Florida Record: 103 lbs., 12 ozs.