Pompano, Florida Trachinotus carolinus

Linnaeus, 1766

CARANGIDAE FAMILY
Also called pompano, common pompano, Carolina pompano

Florida pompano occur in the western Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts, USA through the Gulf of Mexico and in the West Indies to Brazil, but absent from clear waters of Bahamas and similar islands. They can be found in the surf zone, major bays with sandy bottoms, and in coastal waters. Their local movements are tidally influenced and their seasonal movements are influenced by water temperature.

Often confused with permit (trachinotus falcatus), pompano have more soft dorsal (22-27) and anal fin rays (20-24). In addition, the dorsal profile of pompano is not as steep as it is for permit and the dorsal and anal fins are not as elongated. Pompano have relatively small mouths and the body is relatively deep, flat, and almost entirely silvery with a dark bluish back and yellowish belly, anal fin, and caudal fin.

Unlike permit that are common to 40 pounds, pompano rarely grow larger than 6 pounds but, like most members of the jack family, are an excellent fighting fish for their size. They are schooling, bottom feeders and their main diet consists of mollusks, crustaceans, other small invertebrates and fish. Pompano are sought after for their white, flaky meat and are one of the highest priced marine foods in the USA.

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