Pacific pompano
📖 Overview
Commonly found on sand bottom of exposed coasts. Usually occurs in shallow water near shore and often forms small, but fairly dense, schools .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 45 - 47; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 39 - 44; Vertebrae: 29. Brilliantly iridescent, green or blue above, silvery below; dusky on fins .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pacific pompano is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Pacific pompano is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Also Ref. 101194.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 9 - 91 m . Subtropical; 52°N - 23°N, 129°W - 109°W Northeast Pacific: Queen Charlotte Sound in British Columbia, Canada to southern Baja California Sur and the Gulf of California.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Pacific pompano is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.7 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 329 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pacific pompano has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | California Butterfish · Pacific Butterfish · Pacific pompano |
| 🇫🇷French | pompano du Pacifique |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Pampo-disco |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Калифорнийская помпана · Тихоокеанская масляная рыба |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | palometa plateada |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palometa simillima | Ayres | 1860 | Synonym |
| Poronotus simillimus | Ayres | 1860 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 15 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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