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Size
25 inches (64 cm) -
Diet
Mollusks, crustaceans, other invertebrates and small fish -
Range
Western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil -
Habitat
Coastal waters, commonly near bays and estuaries
Physical Characteristics
Size
- Reaches about 25 inches (64 cm) in length. Its maximum published weight is 8.3 lbs. (3.7 kg).
Color
- Deep, silvery body. The back may be dark. Juveniles have a yellowish coloration on the belly, anal fin and caudal fin.
Animal Fact
The Florida Pompano is a popular sport and food fish, and also does well in aquaculture.
Diet / Feeding
- Diet consists of mollusks, crustaceans, other invertebrates and small fish.
Range / Habitat
Range
- Occurs in the Western Atlantic from Massachusetts southward, throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Central and South American coasts to Brazil, with scattered locales in the West Indies. Absent from clear waters of the Bahamas.
Habitat
- Found in coastal waters, commonly near bays and estuaries in depths to about 230 feet (70 m).
- Juveniles seen around sandy beaches exposed to wave action and are absent from insular areas with coralline habitats.
Conservation Status
- “Not Evaluated” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- Aggregates in various size schools, often swimming rapidly.
- Popular food and sport fish with great potential as an aquaculture species.
