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🌊 Marine 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Pacific pomfret

Brama japonica Hilgendorf, 1878
Max Length
61 cm
Max Weight
2.7 kg
Lifespan
9 yrs
Trophic Level
4.4
Depth
271–620 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
49.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Oceanic species which occurs near the surface . Feeds on crustaceans (amphipods and euphausiids), small fishes and squid . Rarely caught inshore . Good food fish .

Scientific Name
Brama japonica
Authority
Hilgendorf, 1878
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Max Length
61 cm
Max Weight
2.7 kg
Lifespan
9 years
Depth Range
271–620 m
Trophic Level
4.4
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
49.00/100
Migration
Oceanodromous
Water Temp
9–21 °C
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 33 - 36; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 27 - 30. Dorsal and anal fins in adults with scales, without basal sheath of scales, and not fully depressible Interorbital space in adults strongly convex, the profile notably arched. Scales on caudal peduncle forming a graded size series with those on the bases of the midcaudal peduncle rays.: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Pacific pomfret is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Pacific pomfret is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
36cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 271 - 620 m . Subtropical; 9°C - 21°C ; 66°N - south to Peru.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🐟 Pelagic
Migration
Oceanodromous
Trophic Level
4.4±0.3
Food Items

crustaceans (amphipods and euphausiids), small fishes and squid (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01778 × L2.95 (TL)
Max TL
61cm
Max Weight
2,700g
Dorsal Rays
35
Anal Rays
29

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
9–21°C
Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
49.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.4
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Hilgendorf, 1878

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Pacific pomfret is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 20.2 g
Omega-3 (total) 366 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Pacific pomfret has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

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View all observations for Pacific pomfret ↗
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