African pompano

African pompano
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Carangiformes
Family: Carangidae
Genus: Alectis
Species:
A. ciliaris
Binomial name
Alectis ciliaris
(Bloch, 1787)
Approximate distribution of the African pompano throughout the tropical oceans. Note that only juveniles are pelagic, with adults inhabiting coastal areas.
Synonyms[2]
  • Zeus gallus Linnaeus, 1758
  • Zeus ciliaris Bloch, 1787
  • Gallus virescens Lacépède, 1802
  • Alectis virescens Rafinesque, 1815
  • Zeus crinitus Mitchill, 1826
  • Alectis crinitus (Mitchill, 1826)
  • Blepharichthys crinitus (Mitchill, 1826)
  • Blepharis crinitus (Mitchill, 1826)
  • Blepharis fasciatus Rüppell, 1830
  • Blepharis sutor Cuvier, 1833
  • Blepharis major Cuvier, 1833
  • Blepharis indicus Cuvier, 1833
  • Alectis indica (Cuvier, 1833)
  • Hynnis cubensis Poey, 1860
  • Scyris analis Poey, 1868
  • Hynnis hopkinsi D.S. Jordan & Starks, 1895
  • Carangoides ajax Snyder, 1904
  • Caranx ajax (Snyder, 1904)
  • Alectis temmincki Wakiya, 1924
  • Alectis breviventralis Wakiya, 1924

The African pompano (Alectis ciliaris), also known as the pennant-fish or threadfin trevally, is a widely distributed species of tropical marine fish in the jack family, Carangidae. The species is found in tropical waters worldwide, with adults often inhabiting coastlines, while juveniles are usually pelagic, floating with ocean currents. The adult African pompano is similar in appearance to the other members of the genus Alectis, with the concave shape of the head near the eyes; the clearest distinguishing feature. The juveniles are similar to other members of Alectis, having long, filamentous dorsal and anal fin tips which are thought to discourage predators. The species lives in depths less than 100 m, consuming a range of crustaceans and small fishes. The species is of minor economic importance, often taken amongst other tropical midwater fishes by hook and line, while juveniles are occasionally caught in beach seines. African pompano are also highly rated game fish, often considered one of the strongest of the jacks in larger sizes.

  1. ^ Herdson, D.; Robertson, R.; Smith-Vaniz, B. (2010). "Alectis ciliaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T155014A4696428. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T155014A4696428.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Alectis ciliaris". FishBase. August 2019 version.