Two new species of cobia fish have been identified off the Makran coast of Balochistan, according to a study published in the journal Zoologischer Anzeiger.

As reported by Dawn News, these species, named Blotchy Cobia (Rachycentron blochii) and Makran Cobia (Rachycentron makranensis), mark a significant contribution to marine biology and underscore Pakistan’s rich aquatic biodiversity.

Dr. Sher Khan Panhwar, a professor at Karachi University’s Center of Excellence in Marine Biology, made the discovery during a routine survey at Gwadar fish harbor.

“At first glance, I thought it was another black king cobia but when I looked closer at the markings on its body, I knew it was different,” said Dr Sher Khan Panhwar.

The Blotchy Cobia, named for its distinctive grey blotches, is torpedo-shaped, three feet long, and weighs around eight pounds.

In contrast, the Makran Cobia is smaller, at two and a half feet in length and six pounds in weight, featuring moderate-sized eyes and smaller teeth.

“At this time, these species of cobia have only been spotted in Pakistan,” Dr Panhwar said.

The research team procured the specimens from fishermen, who locally referred to the fish as “Sangla”, after intense negotiation and transported them 650 kilometers to their lab in Karachi for detailed analysis.

Currently, these species have only been observed in Pakistan, specifically along the Makran coast.

The fish from Gwadar proved to be subtly yet consistently different, prompting the researchers to recognize that they had identified two new species.