The African pompano (Alectis ciliaris) is a fascinating fish that belongs to the jack family, Carangidae. It has a metallic-blue color on its back, fading to a white belly, and a deep and compressed body. The front of its head is steep and rounded, and its dorsal fin begins in front of its anal fin. The most distinctive feature of this fish is the long, threadlike rays at the front of its dorsal and anal fins, which are present only in juveniles and disappear as the fish grows older. These rays are thought to discourage predators by mimicking the tentacles of a jellyfish or the arms of an octopus.
The African pompano is a widely distributed species that can be found in tropical waters worldwide. It lives in depths less than 100 m, often near reefs, wrecks and ledges. It feeds on a range of crustaceans and small fishes, and is known to be a great fighter and good to eat. It is also highly rated as a game fish, often considered one of the strongest of the jacks in larger sizes.
The African pompano has a global distribution in tropical and subtropical oceans, except for the eastern Pacific Ocean. It occurs in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, as well as from Morocco to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Canary Islands. It also occurs in the Indian Ocean from South Africa to India, including Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs from Japan to Australia, including Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Caledonia and Hawaii.
The African pompano is usually found in coastal areas with adults, while juveniles are pelagic, floating with ocean currents. The juveniles may travel long distances across ocean basins before settling near suitable habitats. The adults tend to form schools over structure, such as coral reefs, rocky outcrops, artificial reefs and shipwrecks. They may also migrate seasonally along the coastlines, following changes in water temperature and food availability.
Since the African pompano is a marine fish that lives in saltwater environments, it is unlikely to be found on a pond that is freshwater or brackish. However, there are some exceptions where this fish may be encountered on a pond that is connected to the sea or has high salinity levels.
One example is the Salton Sea in California, which is a large inland saline lake that was accidentally created by flooding from the Colorado River in 1905. The Salton Sea has become a habitat for many saltwater fish species that were introduced by humans or migrated from nearby coastal waters. Among these fish is the African pompano, which was first reported in 1960 and has since established a population in the lake. The African pompano can be found near the shorelines or around submerged structures in the Salton Sea, where it feeds on tilapia and other fishes.
Another example is Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, which is a large coastal lagoon that is connected to the Tasman Sea by a narrow channel. Lake Macquarie has a mix of freshwater and saltwater habitats that support a diverse range of fish species. Among these fish is the African pompano, which was first recorded in 1984 and has since become a rare but regular visitor to the lake. The African pompano can be found near rocky reefs or artificial structures in Lake Macquarie, where it feeds on squid and other fishes.
These are some of the places where you can look for an African pompano on a pond, but they are very uncommon and exceptional cases. If you want to see or catch this amazing fish, you will have better chances in tropical oceans near reefs, wrecks and ledges.
Atlantic Ocean: The African pompano can be found in both the western and eastern hemispheres of the Atlantic Ocean. It spans various regions and habitats, making appearances in countries and continents like Florida, Brazil, Senegal, and Morocco.
Pacific Ocean: In the Pacific Ocean, the African pompano inhabits both the northern and southern hemispheres. Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck in locations such as Mexico, Peru, Hawaii, and Australia.
Indian Ocean: The Indian Ocean houses the African pompano in regions extending across parts of Asia, Africa, and Australia. Popular fishing spots include India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Indonesia.
Mediterranean Sea: The Mediterranean Sea, connecting to the Atlantic Ocean via the Strait of Gibraltar, is another habitat for the African pompano. This section explores locations like Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, where anglers can target this species.