Family: RACHYCENTRIDAE, Cobia
elongate
head broad, depressed
head broad, depressed
D VII-IX (short, free) + I-III, 26-33
A I-III, 26-33, like D
FAMILY RACHYCENTRIDAE
COBIA
Body elongate, nearly cylindrical; head pointed, broad and flattened; mouth large, at front, lower jaw projecting; teeth small, simple, on jaws, roof of mouth and tongue; dorsal fin with VII-IX short, separated (not connected by membrane) spines, soft part 26-33, long, and low, slightly raised at front; anal fin like soft dorsal, I-III, 26-33; tail fin concave in adults (rounded in juveniles), upper tip longer; pectorals pointed, curved; pelvics short, inserted before pectoral base; scales small, imbedded in thick skin; lateral line a little wavy at front.
A family with a single species that occurs in the Indo-W Pacific and both sides of the Atlantic.
PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON, AFTER COLLETTE (2002)
