Home · Bramidae · Brilliant pomfret
Brilliant pomfret (Eumegistus illustris) — Bramidae

Brilliant pomfret

Eumegistus illustris
Family: Bramidae

The Brilliant pomfret (Eumegistus illustris) is a saltwater fish of the family Bramidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–620.0 m
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mayotte, Cook Is., Fiji and others

Want the complete picture on the Brilliant pomfret?

Get the app

Description

The brilliant pomfret is a pomfret (Bramidae) from warm, deep parts of the Indian and Pacific oceans. The species grows to about 47 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, dark metallic body with large eyes. As an oceanic predator it swims in open water above the continental slope, from a few to several hundred metres deep, and hunts fish, squid and crustaceans. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brilliant pomfret?

The Brilliant pomfret has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Brilliant pomfret live?

The Brilliant pomfret lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mayotte, Cook Is., Fiji and others

How big does the Brilliant pomfret get?

The Brilliant pomfret grows to a maximum of about 47 cm.

Is the Brilliant pomfret dangerous to humans?

No, the Brilliant pomfret is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Brilliant pomfret?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Brilliant pomfret is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Brilliant pomfret sourced
Scientific name
Eumegistus illustris
Family
Bramidae
Other names
Brilliant pomfret verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
620.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Mayotte, Cook Is., Fiji and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Bramidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Brilliant pomfret?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Brilliant pomfret is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Brilliant pomfret? Get the app