Fish Identification Photos: Florida Pompano, Trachinotus carolinus: The Florida Pompano has a relatively short, deep, moderately compressed body that is blue to greenish dorsally, fading to silver laterally and silvery-yellow ventrically.

The Florida Pompano lacks any significant markings. The head profile slopes to a blunt snout. The fins are dusky or yellowish, particularly the anal fin. The dorsal and anal fins are similarly shaped with long fin bases. The pectoral fins are shorter than the head and the pelvic fins are shorter than the pectoral fins. The caudal fin is deeply forked.

The lateral line of the Florida Pompano arches at the midpoint of the soft dorsal fin and is straight toward the caudal fin.

The Florida Pompano reaches a maximum of 24 inches in length and 8 pounds in weight and is found in low energy surf zones along sandy beaches. It is an important commercially targeted fish species with declining catch rates due to overfishing. It is considered of great food value and is among the highest price per pound fish.

The Florida Pompano is also an important recreational species caught primarily from jetties, piers and small boats. It is a bottom feeder, consuming crabs and mollusks. In return, it is preyed upon primarily by brown pelicans.

The Florida Pompano can be confused with the Permit, Trachinotus falcatus (few dorsal and anal rays). and the Palometa, Trachinotus goodie (four dark narrow bars on the upper body). In Mexican waters the Florida Pompano can be found throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

The Florida Pompano is a member of the Carangidae or Jack Family which are known in Mexico as jureles and pámpanos.

Florida Pompano, Trachinotus carolinus: A commercially caught fish, courtesy of the Ranch 99 Market, San Diego, Calif., January 2008. Size approximately 8 inches. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.