Taractichthys longipinnis (Lowe, 1843)
Big-scale pomfret
Taractichthys longipinnis
photo by Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP

Family:  Bramidae (Pomfrets)
Max. size:  100 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 500 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Iceland and Norway southward to off Pointe Noire, Gulf of Guinea and Namibia; questionably reaching False Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4388). Absent from the Mediterranean (Ref. 4936). Western Atlantic: Nova Scotia, Canada and northern Gulf of Mexico to Puerto Rico (Ref. 7251), Bermuda, northern South America to southeastern Brazil (Ref. 82736). Highly migratory species.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 33-38; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 27-30. Grey or silvery in color, with coppery reflections (Ref. 4388).
Biology:  Generally oceanic and presumably epipelagic. Often solitary but occasionally found in small schools close to shore (Ref. 82736). Feed on shrimps and squids (Ref. 82736). Young are present in all seasons (Ref. 6697). Flesh considered very good (Ref. 3576).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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