African Pompano

The African pompano (Alectis ciliaris), alternatively known as the pennant-fish or threadfin trevally, is a markedly distributed species native to tropical marine environments, belonging to the Carangidae family. This species is prevalent in tropical waters globally, with adults typically residing along coastlines and juveniles exhibiting pelagic behavior, carried by ocean currents. A defining characteristic of the adult African pompano, distinguishing it from other members of the genus Alectis, is the concave shape of the head near the eyes. Juveniles present long, filamentous extensions on their dorsal and anal fins, purportedly serving as a deterrent against predators. The African pompano usually inhabits depths of less than 100 meters, subsisting on a diet of various crustaceans and small fish. Economically, the species holds minor importance and is generally caught alongside other tropical midwater fish using hook and line practices, while juveniles are sporadically captured in beach seine operations. Notably, the African pompano is esteemed as a game fish, renowned for its strength among the larger jacks.

Similar to many Carangidae species, the African pompano features a deep, laterally compressed body, with the deepest section located between the origins of the dorsal and anal fins. Both the dorsal and ventral profiles exhibit symmetrical convexity. A prominent distinction of the adult is its curved head, contrasting with the angular head profile of Alectis indicus. The species is equipped with four to seven visible spines in the first dorsal fin followed by a singular spine and 18 to 20 soft rays in the second dorsal fin. The anal fin comprises two spines succeeded by 15 or 16 soft rays, and the pectoral fin is characterized by its length and curvature. While the skin appears scaleless, it contains minute embedded scales across the body. The lateral line demonstrates a notably pronounced and moderate dorsal arch, with the posterior section possessing 12 to 30 scutes.

Juveniles are easily identifiable by their 'threadfin' appearance, a result of having trailing anal and dorsal fin filaments that shorten with age. As maturation occurs, the species assumes a more elongated form, resembling other genera of jacks. The body is a silvery-metallic blue to greenish-blue on top, darkest around the head and upper shoulders, transitioning to a silvery hue underneath. Juveniles display five chevron-shaped dark bars, with a distinctive black blotch at the base of the third to sixth soft dorsal fin rays. The filament base is dark blue to black, with other fins pale to hyaline in nature.

The African pompano reaches a confirmed length of 130 cm, though reports suggest instances up to 150 cm exist but lack verification. The maximum recorded weight of the species is 22.9 kg.

The African pompano populates tropical waters worldwide, thriving in temperatures spanning 65 to 80 °F (18 to 27 °C), and is predominantly found in coastal regions. Its presence has been documented along both the east and west coasts of the 🇺🇸 United States, as well as in South America, Africa, the 🌊 Indian Ocean, and across Asia and 🇦🇺 Australia, including numerous Pacific islands. The species extends into temperate waters, with juveniles specifically discovered off southeastern and undefined, likely transported by oceanic currents.

Adult African pompano typically favor coastal waters, exploring reef and wreck environments up to 100 meters deep. In contrast, juveniles are pelagic, occupying both coastal zones and the open ocean. Their reliance on ocean currents brings them into estuarine regions in lower 🇦🇺 Australia, though they fail to endure the cold winter temperatures.

As schooling predators, African pompano mainly prey on a variety of crustaceans such as decapods, carids, and copepods, in addition to cephalopods and small fish. They are themselves prey for larger fish species, including mackerels, tunas, and sharks. The filamentous dorsal and anal fins of the juveniles mimic jellyfish medusae, potentially affording them some level of protection against predation. Limited information exists on their reproductive patterns and maturation sizes, though research in 🇮🇳 India indicates a peak in A. ciliaris larvae abundance in April. The eggs are spherical, pelagic, and contain a yolk and oil globule, with detailed descriptions of the larvae available. It is believed that spawning occurs over sandy substrates in 🇲🇽 Mexico during springtime.