Animal Species:Black Pomfret, Parastromateus niger

Juvenile and adult Black Pomfret look quite different.  The head, body and caudal fin of juveniles are strongly banded.  Adults are not banded but are silvery-grey to bluish-brown all over.

Adult Black Pomfret

Adult Black Pomfret
Kwang-Tsao Shao © Kwang-Tsao Shao

Alternative Name/s

Black Batfish, Blue Skate, Butterfish, Halibut, Slade, Turbot

Identification

Juveniles have well developed pelvic fins which are lacking in adults.

Size range

55 cm

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-west Pacific region. In Australia, it is known from tropical waters of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northern Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Parastromateus niger

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Black Pomfret specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Juveniles may be associated with jellyfishes.

Classification

Species:
niger
Genus:
Parastromateus
Family:
Carangidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Black Pomfret, Parastromateus niger, Carangidae, juveniles and adults look different, stripes or bands, silver, blueish-brown, Black Batfish, Blue Skate, Butterfish, Halibut, Slade, Turbot, 30 cm - 1 m, tropical water, marine,