Pomfrets

The single

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BODY oblong, more or less elevated, strongly compressed, covered with firm, adherent cycloid, lobate, or emarginate scales, or with a median ridge or spine; mouth very oblique, maxillary broad and scaly; premaxillaries protractile; jaws with bands of slender teeth; dorsal and anal fins similar, long, each with 3 or 4 anterior rays simple, developed as spines; soft dorsal and anal scaly or with a sheath of scales.

Fishes of the open sea, widely distributed and often inhabiting considerable depths, and varying greatly with age.

The single genus in our waters (Brama) contains 3 species in our limits, only one of which is of food-value. This is the pomfret, Brama raii. This species is of considerable importance as a food-fish. It occurs in the open seas and is widely distributed. It descends to considerable depths. It is rare on our Atlantic Coast but it is not uncommon on the coast of California and north to Puget Sound where it is regarded as an excellent food-fish. It reaches a length of 2 to 4 feet.

Colour, sooty-gray, with some soiled silvery on snout; vertical fins and anal region black, edges of dorsal and anal darker; axil jet black within.