HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishPermit Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) Scientific name: Trachinotus falcatus Linnaeus, 1758 The Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Massachusetts, USA to southeastern Brazil, including Bahamas and many of the West Indies. BiologyAdults frequently in channels or holes, over sandy flats, around reefs, and at times over mud bottoms; usually solitary or in small schools; smaller fish tolerate brackish water. Spawn offshore. During the summer, juveniles are found in large schools especially in the surf zone along sandy beaches. Adults feed on mollusks, crabs, shrimps, and small fishes; juveniles on benthic invertebrates. Excellent food fish. Highly esteemed game fish caught on light tackle.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameTrachinotus falcatusFamilyCarangidae (Jacks and pompanos)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length122Common length94.0Depth range0–36 m (0–118 ft)EnvironmentMarine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 36 m, usually 0 - 30 mClimateSubtropicalDistributionWestern Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA to southeastern Brazil, including Bahamas and many of the West Indies.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariumsResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3) More other freshwater fishFreshwater garfishXenentodon cancilaFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusLined soleAchirus lineatusSouth American lungfishLepidosiren paradoxaSee all other freshwater fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026