Pompanos

Pompanos are a group of marine fish in the jack family (Carangidae) commonly referred to as pompano. The term most often applies to species in the genus Trachinotus, of which many are found in warm coastal waters worldwide. The western Atlantic species Trachinotus carolinus, the Florida pompano, is among the best known; other familiar members include Trachinotus goodei (palometa) and several Indo-Pacific pompano species.

Description: Pompanos are medium- to large-sized, laterally compressed, and deep-bodied jacks. They have a relatively small mouth and a forked tail. Their dorsal fins are typically separated into a short spiny front and a longer soft-rayed rear section. Coloration is generally silvery with yellow to bronze tinges, often displaying faint vertical bars in juveniles.

Distribution and habitat: They inhabit warm coastal waters, including the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Indo-Pacific regions. They favor shallow, clear habitats such as sandy bottoms near reefs, seagrass beds, or surf zones, and are commonly seen in schools.

Diet and biology: Pompanos are opportunistic feeders, eating crustaceans, mollusks, small fish, and other invertebrates. Growth rates are relatively rapid in many species, and they reach sizes from around 30 cm to over 60 cm in some species.

Fisheries and aquaculture: Florida pompano is a popular sport fish and table fare; other pompano species are targeted regionally and some are farmed in tropical areas. Management measures exist in many regions to sustain stocks.

Conservation: Population status varies by species and region; some stocks are regulated to prevent overexploitation.