(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - pompano, Florida
OTHER COMMON NAMES -
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Perciformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Carangidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Trachinotus,
SPECIES AND SSP - carolinus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Trachinotus carolinus
AUTHORITY - Linnaeus
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 46
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Other common name.....Pompano, common pompano, Atlantic pompano, "sunfish,"
Pompaneau sole (Fr.), Pampano amarillo (Sp.)*46*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Sport Fish
Commercial
Commercial/consumption
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 46
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine OW0
Marine BB2
Marine BB2
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 46
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 46
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
Juvenile Crustaceans Not Specified
Juvenile Bivalve Molluscs Not Specified
Juvenile Copepods Not Specified
Juvenile Polychaetes Not Specified
Juvenile Cirripeds Not Specified
Juvenile Diptera Larva stage
Juvenile Diptera Adult stage
Juvenile See Comments; Food
Adult Bivalve Molluscs Not Specified
Adult Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult See Comments; Food
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 46
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE FOOD - 46
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
Pompano can probably be considered selective grazers, feeding primarily
along the bottom....Large and well-developed pharyngeal plates indicate an
eventual adult specialization to feed on hardshell organisms such as clams
or crabs. The stomach of the pompano is well defined and sac-shaped, often
an indication of omnivorous food habits.*46*
COMMENTS ON JUVENILE FOOD -
Food habit data....indicate that juvenile pompano are opportunistic feeders
in the smaller length classes, apparently feeding on those organisms that
are most abundant or available at the time. As juvenile pompano grow
larger, they appear to become more selective in their diet.*46*
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G
G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Mud or silt
G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Sand
G Water pH: Between 5.0-6.5
G Water pH: Between 6.5-8.5
G Water pH: Between 8.5-10.0
G Water pH: Specified in Comments
G Dissolved Oxygen: Specified in Comments
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 46
REFERENCES FOR RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 46
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
Temperature. The low critical temperature for pond-reared pompano is near
10 degrees C. The critical high temperature for adult pompano may be about
38 degrees C, although small juveniles have been observed in tide pools at
temperatures near 46 degrees C.*46*
Salinity. Pompano rarely live in brackish waters. Based on catch records,
adults apparently prefer a salinity range of 28 to 37 ppt. Juveniles
apparently tolerate a somewhat greater range of salinity, some having been
observed in waters with salinities as low as 9 ppt and as high as 50 ppt.
Juveniles appear to tolerate a wider range of water temperature and
salinity than do adults.*46*
In a laboratory experiment in which Moe et al. (1968) transferred five
pompano directly from seawater to freshwater, the fish went into a state of
shock and died within 7.5 h. Pompano taken from waters with a salinity
of 29 ppt and placed in water with a salinity of 9 ppt showed no stress,
and were maintained at 9 ppt for 16 days. The salinity was then gradually
reduced over 3 days to 1.3 ppt without mortality. As a result of this
experiment, Moe et al. (1968) concluded that pompano possibly could, under
controlled conditions, adapt to freshwater. Whether they would feed or
their eggs would develop normally in freshwater is unknown.*46*
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
Dissolved oxygen. Experiments on the effects of dissolved oxygen
depletion, pH elevation, and extreme turbidity on pompano were conducted by
Moe et al. (1968). Pompano were stressed in waters in which dissolved
oxygen content dropped to 3 ppm, and died at concentrations of 2.5 ppm.
There is ample evidence to suggest that this situation is more complex,
however, and that a number of environmental and physiological factors may
work in combination to determine lethal levels of oxygen deficiency.*46*
Other environmental factors: Moe et al. (1968) also found that pompano
died when the pH dropped much below 4 or exceeded 12.*46*
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
The following is largely extracted from Berry and Smith-Vaniz (1978).
Dorsal fin rays VI + I, 22 to 27 (usually 23 to 25); anal fin rays II + I,
20 to 24 (usually 21 or 22); no teeth on tongue at any size; no enlargement
of second to fourth ribs; no dark vertical bars on upper half of body;
anterior-most dorsal and anal rays not notable elongated in adults and
subadults, not extending posteriorly to base of caudal fin; maximum total
length (TL) and weight about 63.5 cm and 7.5 lb; individuals over 4 lb rare.
The record pompano caught by angling in Florida weighted 10 lb, 5 oz. Body
short and deep; body compressed, with upper and lower profiles similar and
head profile sloping to a blunt snout; eye small, its diameter contained 3.2
to 5.1 times in head length; upper jaw very narrow at end and extending to
below mid-eye; lower jaw included; teeth in jaws small, conical, and
recurved, disappearing completely by about 20 cm Fl; gill rakers (including
rudiments) 5 to 7 on upper limb of outer gill arch; anal-fin base shorter
than second dorsal-fin base; pectoral fins short, contained 1.1 to 1.3 times
in head length; scales small, cycloid (smooth), and partly embedded; lateral
line slightly arches to below middle of second dorsal fin and straight
thereafter; no scutes; vertebrae 10 + 14.*46*
The other two species of Trachinotus in the western North Atlantic and Gulf
of Mexico regions differ from the Florida pompano as follows: permit (T.
falcatus) has fewer dorsal soft rays (17 to 21, usually 18 to 20); fewer
anal soft rays (16 to 19, usually 17 or 18); teeth present on tongue in
individuals smaller than about 9 cm TL, but disappearing in larger specimens
and completely absent in those over 22 cm FL; enlargement of ribs 2-4;
juveniles with a bright orange anal fin (vs. lemon yellow in the Florida
pompano); maximum size considerably larger, individuals commonly reaching
20-30 lb and occasionally 50 lb. The palometa (T. goodei) has fewer dorsal
soft rays (19 or 20); fewer anal soft rays (16 to 18); four distinct narrow
bars on upper part of body; and anterior-most dorsal and anal soft rays
notably elongated in adults and subadults, extending posteriorly nearly to
end of caudal fin.*46*
Color in life: bluish green on back, shading into silvery on sides; stomach
area and parts of head sometimes yellowish; fins mostly yellowish, the
elevated part of the dorsal dusky; pelvic fins white.*46*
REPRODUCTION:
The Florida pompano apparently has a protracted spawning season.
Young-of-the-year fish of a wide range of lengths are abundant in the warmer
waters of its range, and after early summer along the upper Atlantic coast.
The Florida pompano apparently does not spawn north of southern Virginia and
the young observed to the north probably migrated there (or were carried
passively) from more southerly water. In Florida and elsewhere in the
southern United States, the main spawning months are April through June and
September and October.*46*
Spawning of Florida pompano has not been observed and opinions differ about
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
whether they spawn in inshore or offshore waters. Evidence for offshore
spawning is based in part on the appearance of small larvae (3.0 to 4.5 mm
long) in plankton tows up to 24 km offshore in Florida waters over the
Continental Shelf of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. As further evidence of
offshore spawning, ten ripe pompano were captured in spring 1983 near the
DeSoto Canyon (the top of which is 54-60 m below the surface) in the
northern Gulf of Mexico, and two larve (7.2 and 11.0 mm long) were taken in
plankton tows 98 and 49 km off the coast of South Carolina. One was taken
near the surface in the Gulf Stream in water over 100 fathoms (183 m) deep.
Spawning in the Gulf Stream probably accounts for the dispersal of larvae
far to the north.*46*
Water temperatures at time of spawning have not been recorded, but few young
have been collected at temperatures less than 19 degrees C.*46*
Examination of gonads from 17 females taken in Tampa Bay in early April
revealed that all contained developing oocytes, but only one (356 mm TL and
576 g) was gravid; it contained about 630,000 eggs. From these data,
Finucane (1969b) estimated that an average-sized female would produce
600,000 to 800,000 eggs per year. Moe et al. (1968) reported 425,000 eggs
in a sexually mature female 255 mm Fl.*46*
LIMITING FACTORS:
Nothing has been published to indicate that adults of any of the Trachinotus
species comprise regular items of food for other fishes or higher
vertebrates (excluding man). Many juveniles are undoubtedly eaten by larger
fish. Birds that forage regularly along the beaches, particularly brown
pelicans, may be the most serious predators.*46*
Juvenile pompano are not heavily parasitized. Of the two genera of isopods
reported, Ione spp. were attached to the mouth and gill tissues, and
Aegathoa spp. to various parts of the body and fins. Several parasitic
brachyurans (Argulus sp.) were found on the skin, and mature and immature
nematodes were sometimes found in the body cavity or encysted in the
viscera. The nematode infection rate was high in the permit. There is no
evidence in the literature that diseases and parasites are a threat to the
pompano in its natural habitat.*46*
Temperature. The low critical temperature for pond-reared pompano is near
10 degrees C. The critical high temperature for adult pompano may be about
38 degrees C, although small juveniles have been observed in tide pools at
temperatures near 46 degrees C.*46*
Dissolved oxygen and pH elevation. Experiments on the effects of dissolved
oxygen depletion, pH elevation, and extreme turbidity on pompano were
conducted by Moe et al. (1968). Pompano were stressed in waters in which
dissolved oxygen content dropped to 3 ppm, and died at concentrations of 2.5
ppm. There is ample evidence to suggest that this situation is more complex,
however, and that a number of environmental and physiological factors may
work in combination to determine lethal levels of oxygen deficiency. Moe et
al. (1968) also found that pompano died when the pH dropped much below 4 or
exceeded 12.*46*
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
POPULATION ATTRIBUTES:
Growth characteristics. On the basis of data on pond-reared fish from St.
Augustine, Florida, Moe et al. (1968) constructed a growth curve from which
they estimated that it would take a Florida pompano 18 months to reach 250
mm FL and weigh 0.45 kg; however, environmental conditions in the pond were
less than optimal.*46*
Florida pompano held from 28 June to 12 November at the Miami Seaquarium and
fed a mixture of whole ground fish and commercial trout food increased in
weight from 5 to 203 g and in length from 56 to 191 mm FL. This growth was
more rapid than that reported by Moe et al. in ponds.*46*
One striking feature noted by Iversen and Berry (1969) regarding the Miami
Seaquarium experiment was the wide range of variation in growth among
individuals. Although these fish were not of uniform size at the beginning
of the expermint (range, 0.03-20 g and 14-99 mm FL), the ultimate degree of
variation after 4.5 months was more than might have been expected (85-305 g
and 139-240 mm SL).*46*
On the basis of catch records from the Tampa Bay area, Finucane (1969a)
estimated an average monthly growth rate of 22 mm for post-juveniles.
Bellinger and Avault (1970) reported an average monthly growth rate for
adults of about 36 mm (range 27 to 42 mm).*46*
Maturity and Life Span. The most useful information on the sexual
development of the Florida pompano was reported by Moe et al. (1968), who
examined the gonads of 16 pond-reared pompano in February and 2 in May. All
fish in the February group were sexually immature. The largest (a female)
was 244 mm SL and weighed 890 g. Two sexually mature males examined in May
were 225 mm and 255 mm FL and 269 g and 469 g.*46*
Neither age nor life span of the species has been studied, either in
captivity or at sea, but Berry and Iversen (1967) estimated that most
pompano live 3 or 4 years under natural conditions.*46*
Quantity and Value of Commercial Fisheries. The Florida pompano is highly
prized and commands the highest price per pound of any seafood from southern
water of the United States. Prices averaged $2.30 per pound (in 1977-81),
and consistently remained above $2.00 after 1977.*46*
Commercial landings of pompano are reported in all Coastal States from
Virginia to Texas, but Florida contributes more than 90% of the total. For
example, in 1965 about 833,000 lb of the total U.S. catch of 886,000 lb were
taken in Florida. In 1965, the Atlantic coast catch of pompano made up
about 1% of the total weight of all finfish and shellfish caught, and more
than 5% of the total dollar value. In Florida, pompano contributed about
0.4% of the weight and about 1.6% of the value.*46*
Most pompano are caught along the west coast of Florida, from Monroe County
(including the Florida Keys) to Charlotte County (vicinity of Fort Myers).
The largest catches on the east coast are made from Brevard County (Cape
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
Canaveral) south to Palm Beach County. Most of the pompano caught
commercially in Florida are from offshore waters, although some are caught
in the estuaries in the Indian and Banana Rivers near Cape Canaveral.*46*
Although a highly sought game fish, Florida pompano nevertheless comprise
only a small percentage of the sport catch in coastal waters of the
southeastern United States. The sport catch of pompano and permit is so
small that these species are listed under "other fish" in marine sport fish
statistics. Most pompano are taken by anglers in the surf, off fishing
piers, and over shallow flats. Pompano angling was discussed by Buckow
(1965), who indicated that the pompano ranked second only to the bluefish
(Pomatomus saltatrix) in importance as a surf sportfish in Florida.*46*
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 46
Life History - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Other management practices [specified in comments]
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 46
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Because of its consistently high value as a food fish, the Florida pompano
has received considerable attention for its potential in mariculture.
Juveniles, as stock for pond culture, are easily caught in large numbers
with seines on open sandy beaches in many areas. Young pompano are so
abundant along the Florida east coast that large numbers probably could be
taken for commercial mariculture without endangering the spawning stocks or
threatening the commercial fishery; however, the number that can be taken
legally by seine in Florida waters is too small to economically support a
mariculture operation. Thus far, artificial propagation on a large scale
has failed.*46*
Moe et al. (1968) published the most complete summary available of a pompano
mariculture operation. It was based on work carried out by the Minorcan
Seafood Company during the mid-1960's at facilities located on the inside of
Matanzas Inlet, just north of Marineland, Florida. In the summary, it was
concluded that the "Propagation of pompano and other fish in Florida waters
has yet to become a consistently successful commercial venture. Although
the success of such an endeavor appears technically and economically
feasible, there are multitudinous problems that must be solved before a
large scale commercial enterprise can be profitably conducted."*46*
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species pompano, Florida
Species Id M010011
Date 26 AUG 96
References
46* Gilbert, C. 1986. Species Profiles: Life Histories and
Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates
(South Florida) -- Florida Pompano. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Biol. Rep. 82(11.42) pp 14.
References - 1