Small spotted dart
📖 Overview
Adults occur near surface waters of lagoon and seaward reefs, in surge zones along sandy beaches . They always move in schools at the edge of the surf near the reef, usually in pairs or small groups in surface waters . They feed on small fishes . They are occasionally taken by trolling and line fishing.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 24; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 20 - 24. : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Small spotted dart is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 3 m . Tropical; 32°N - 32°S north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Baillon's Dart · Pompano, Small spotted dart, Smallspotted dart · blackspotted dart · dart · smallspotted dart · smallspotted pompano · Small Spotted Dart |
| 🇫🇷French | Carangue manège, Poisson manège · Pompaneau muscadin |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Koban-aji · コバンアジ |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pámpano Abotonado |
| 🌍TAH | paeore (Iles Sous le Vent), papio (Iles Du Vent) |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caesiomorus baillonii | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Caesiomorus quadripunctatus | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
| Trachinotus cuvieri | Wakiya | 1924 | Synonym |
| Trachinotus jordani | Wakiya | 1924 | Synonym |
| Trachinotus oblongus | Cuvier | 1832 | Synonym |
| Trachinotus quadripunctatus | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
| Trachynotus bailloni | Lacepède | 1801 | Synonym |
| Trachynotus cuvieri | Wakiya | 1924 | Synonym |
| Trachynotus jordani | Wakiya | 1924 | Synonym |
| Trachynotus oblongus | Cuvier | 1832 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 11 records indexed .
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