Scientific Name
Trachinotus carolinus

Common Name
Florida pompano

Biology
Occurs in coastal waters, commonly entering bays and estuaries. Juveniles found in sandy beaches exposed to wave action (Ref. 5217). Absent from insular areas with coralline habitats (Ref. 5217). Generally forms small to large schools. Feeds on mollusks, crustaceans and other invertebrates and small fish. Excellent food fish (Ref. 9626). Highest priced marine food fish in the USA (Ref. 171). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35420).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1766

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Jacks and pompanos (Carangidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA through the Gulf of Mexico and scattered localities in the West Indies (Ref. 26938) to Brazil. Also found in Argentina (Ref. 44847). Absent from clear waters of Bahamas and similar islands (Ref. 7251).

Range

43°N - 9°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

70 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 70 m (Ref. 9626)

Trophic Level

3.5 s.e. 0.60 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

64.0 cm

Common Length

40.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=2-4)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated