Florida pompano facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Florida pompano |
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The Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) is a type of fish that lives in the ocean. It belongs to the pompano family, which is known for fast-swimming fish. This fish has a flat body and a short nose. Its colors can be blue-greenish silver on its back, and silver to yellow on its body and fins.
You can find the Florida pompano along the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Its location changes with the seasons. People like to catch this fish for both fun (sport fishing) and to sell (commercial fishing). Most Florida pompano caught are less than 3 lb (1.4 kg) and shorter than 17 in (43 cm). However, some bigger ones can weigh up to 8–9 lb (3.6–4.1 kg) and be as long as 26 in (66 cm).
Because they grow quickly and are tasty, pompano are one of the many fish raised on farms. This is called aquaculture. The city of Pompano Beach in Florida is even named after this fish!
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What Does the Florida Pompano Look Like?
The Florida pompano is part of the "jack" fish family. It looks a lot like another fish called the permit. The Florida pompano has a tail that splits deeply, like a fork. Its body is blue-greenish silver, and its throat, belly, and bottom fins are yellow.
It has low fins on its back with about six spiny parts. In older fish, the first spine might disappear. The pompano is a flat fish with a deep body and a rounded nose.
How Big Do Pompano Get?
Young pompano grow quite fast, about 0.8 and 1.9 in (20 and 48 mm) each month. After their first year, they can be around 12 in (30 cm) long and weigh about 1 lb (0.45 kg).
Most pompano caught by fishers weigh less than three pounds. However, the biggest ones ever found weighed between 8 and 9 pounds and were about 23 to 25 inches long.
How Long Do Pompano Live?
Florida pompano usually live for about three to four years. But some have been known to live longer, up to six or seven years!
Where Do Pompano Live?
Adult Florida pompano usually live in salty water that is warm, between 70 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of this, they travel north in the summer and south in the fall.
Even though it's called the Florida pompano, you can find it from Massachusetts all the way to Brazil. It's most common near Florida. In summer, they are found near Sebastian, Cape Hatteras, and the Gulf of Mexico. In winter, they are more common near oil rigs, Palm Beach, and Hobe Sound. You can also find them near the Virgin Islands all year long.
They like to live in shallow, wavy areas near the shore, called surf flats. They tend to avoid very clear water, like in the Bahamas. Pompano are very fast swimmers and live in groups, called schools. They eat food from the bottom of the ocean, using their short teeth to munch on small clams and tiny sea creatures.
Pompano and Their Environment
What Do People Use Pompano For?
The pompano is a very popular fish to eat. Chefs like it because its meat is evenly thick, which makes it easy to cook. A famous dish from New Orleans is "pompano en papillote." This is where the fish is wrapped in parchment paper with a white sauce made of wine, shrimp, and crab meat, and then steamed.
The meat of the pompano is a bit oily and looks white. Because of what they eat, the fish has a rich but mild taste. Fresh pompano can be quite expensive. Since many people want to eat pompano, farming them (aquaculture) has become more popular to meet the demand.
Farming Pompano
The Florida pompano is a good choice for aquaculture because it's so popular for eating and sport fishing. It also grows quickly, sells for good prices, and can live in water that isn't super salty. Farm-raised pompano are usually sold when they weigh about 1 to 1.5 lb (0.45 to 0.68 kg).
Fishing for Pompano
Pompano are important for both commercial fishing (where people catch them to sell) and recreational fishing (where people catch them for fun). Commercial fishers catch Florida pompano in all states along the East Coast, from Virginia to Texas. Florida catches over 90% of all pompano each year. Most of this fishing happens along Florida's western coast, but some are caught on the eastern coast and in the Banana and Indian Rivers.
People who fish for fun often catch pompano using light fishing rods and special lures. Pompano are very strong fighters on the line, making them exciting to catch even though they aren't huge. In winter, they often bite near oil rigs.
Studies have shown that the population of Florida pompano is healthy. This means that current fishing practices are not harming the fish population too much, and there are enough pompano for the future.
Images for kids
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A Florida pompano, found in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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A Florida pompano swimming in the water
See also
In Spanish: Pámpano amarillo para niños
