Cobia
Description: A torpedo-shaped fish with two dorsal fins, although the first dorsal fin has been reduced to a series of spiny rays and does not really compound to a single fin. The fish is grey to black in color wit a white belly. This is a traditional tropical marine sport fish, and is regarded as a trophy catch by spear-fishing divers.

Natural Ecology: The cobia is primarily a carnivore of fish, squid, and other crustaceans. Primarily a solitary fish, but may form schools in the aquarium.

Indigenous To: Nearly all of the world’s tropical oceans. Range extends from Massachusetts to Argentina in the western Atlantic, from Morocco to South Africa in the eastern Atlantic, and from eastern Africa to Japan and Australia.

Behavior: This species is not aggressive, but is a predator of most invertebrates and fish.

Compatability: Usually ignores corals, but will eat fishes and other invertebrates. Also grows large, whose output of dissolved wastes may be problematic to the maintenance of pristine water quality.

Food: Proaquatix specimens have been weaned to take aquarium pellets and flakes. Freshly frozen invertebrates such as ocean plankton, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped squid will be readily accepted.