HomeMarine aquarium fishOther marine fishAfrican pompano African pompano (Alectis ciliaris) Scientific name: Alectis ciliaris Bloch, 1787 The African pompano (Alectis ciliaris) is a marine fish of the family Carangidae. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 7 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 15 - 20. Body superficially naked, with minute and embedded scales. Body silvery with light metallic bluish tinge dorsally; a small diffuse dark spot on opercle. Weakly developed scutes, appearing naked. Only fish in the family that does not have dorsal fin spines throughout life. Juveniles with long trailing filaments.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameAlectis ciliarisFamilyCarangidae (Jacks and pompanos)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length150Common length100.0Depth range60–100 m (197–328 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 60 - 100 mClimateSubtropicalDistributionWorldwide in tropical seas. Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to Santos, Brazil; throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Congo. Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea to Algoa Bay, South Africa and to Sri Lanka. Eastern Pacific: Mexico to Peru.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansReports of ciguatera poisoningUsesFisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercialResilienceLow, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More other marine fishPaeony bulleyePriacanthus blochiiPilotfishNaucrates ductorPlate fishBothus lunatusTrumpetfishAulostomus maculatusSpotted garden-eelHeteroconger hassiPacific cownose rayRhinoptera steindachneriSee all other marine fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026