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Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) — Carangidae

Indian pompano

Trachinotus mookalee
Family: Carangidae

The Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) is a saltwater fish of the family Carangidae that grows up to 90 cm.

Length
90 cm
Water
Saltwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Indian pompano is a pompano (Carangidae) from coastal and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 90 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body with a deeply forked tail and a blunt snout. As a fast, schooling fish it swims over sandy beaches and reefs and hunts small fish, molluscs and crustaceans. It is a valued sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian pompano?

The Indian pompano has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Indian pompano live?

The Indian pompano lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bahrain, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong and others

How big does the Indian pompano get?

The Indian pompano grows to a maximum of about 90 cm.

Is the Indian pompano dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian pompano 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.

Is the Indian pompano edible?

Yes, the Indian pompano is commonly eaten.

More photos

Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) — Carangidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kaustubh Sandip Warde, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) — Carangidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) — Carangidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ooi Qie, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Indian pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) — Carangidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Vivek.N.Rathod, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Indian pompano sourced
Scientific name
Trachinotus mookalee
Family
Carangidae
Other names
Indian pompano; Pompano verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
90.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

Same genus Trachinotus

More from the family Carangidae

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