HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishSouthern pompano Southern pompano (Trachinotus africanus) Scientific name: Trachinotus africanus Smith, 1967 The Southern pompano (Trachinotus africanus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Carangidae. Native range: Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Oman, Mozambique and South Africa to western Indonesia. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21. Bluish above, silvery below; anal fin bright yellow with orange fin lobe; caudal, pectoral and pelvic fins yellowish.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameTrachinotus africanusFamilyCarangidae (Jacks and pompanos)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length92.0Depth range20–50 m (66–164 ft)EnvironmentMarine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 20 - 50 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndian Ocean: Gulf of Aden and Oman, Mozambique and South Africa to western Indonesia.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariumsResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More other freshwater fishFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusFreshwater garfishXenentodon cancilaLined 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