Cobia
Rachycentron canadum
Also known as Crabeater, Sergeantfish, Ling, Cabio, Cubby yew, Lemonfish
Culinary Profile
Cobia has a sweet, rich flavor.
Cobia is lean, moist, and firm with a nice flake.
Cobia is a good source of low-fat protein. It is high in riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Cobia are dark brown with a single dorsal fin. Young cobia have distinct coloring, with alternating black and white horizontal stripes and splotches of bronze, orange, and green. Cobia are often mistaken for sharks or remoras. In fact, their closest living relative is the remora (shark sucker).
Biology
Cobia are the only member of the family Rachycentridae in North America. They grow up to 6 feet and 100 pounds and live up to 12 years. They are able to reproduce when they are young—females mature at age 3 and males mature at age 2. Cobia spawn in coastal bays and estuaries several times throughout their spawning season, which lasts from late June to mid-August in the Southeast and from late summer to early fall in…
Where They Live
Range In U.S. waters, cobia are most abundant from Virginia south through the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). Cobia migrate seasonally in the Atlantic and Gulf of America. Along the Atlantic coast, they move south and offshore toward warmer waters during the late fall and winter.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
Wild-caught from Virginia to Texas. Cobia is farmed, and aquaculture-produced cobia is becoming increasingly available in U.S. fish markets.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: In 2023, commercial landings of cobia totaled 99,500 pounds and were valued at $366,000 according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Commercial fishermen do not directly target cobia and usually catch it while trawling for shrimp or fishing for other species such as mackerel. Recreational fishery: Recreational fishermen like cobia because it is a large, powerful fish that puts up a good fight and provides a tasty meal. In 2023, recreational anglers landed 4.9 million pounds of cobia, according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database .
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Cobia ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 0.78 mg | 28 / 111 | 75% |
| Selenium | 36.5 µg | 32 / 106 | 70% |
| Protein | 18.99 g | 48 / 111 | 57% |
| Iron | 0.65 mg | 58 / 111 | 48% |
| Phosphorus | 198 mg | 70 / 111 | 37% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.56 µg | 105 / 106 | 1% |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Cobia.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Sweet-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the sweet flavour profile of Cobia, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Snow Crab
Chionoecetes opilio
Sweet.
Almaco Jack
Seriola rivoliana
Almaco jack has a clean, sweet, rich, slightly nutty, buttery flavor.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should Cobia be cooked?
Cobia has Cobia is lean, moist, and firm with a nice flake. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
What is the stock status of Cobia?
The stock is not overfished.
How big does Cobia get?
grow up to 6 feet and 100 pounds.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught cobia is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2020 stock assessment, the Gulf of Mexico stock is not overfished but is subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . Scientists from NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center monitor the abundance of the population, and scientists, managers, and stakeholders assess the status of the stock through the Southeast Data…
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to catch cobia rarely contacts the ocean floor and has minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Minimal, as commercial fishermen rarely target cobia.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf Council manage cobia in the Gulf of America and on the east coast of Florida. The Atlantic migratory group cobia (from Georgia through New York) are managed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission .
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 17 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.