African Pompano caught in Sydney Harbour. (Pennant Fish)

[James Clain]

My friend caught a small baby African Pompano funny but I knew what it was. We released the fish after the photo and now i am also wondering if anyone els has caught these fish maybe even of a larger size? Are they rare, or rare or in Sydney? Or are they very common? 

[Volitan]

Pennant Fish ( Alectis ciliaris)

 

Diamond Trevally (Alectis indica)

 

Closely related and hard to tell apart. The best distinguishing feature for juveniles is the ventral fins which have elongated filaments in the diamond trevally, but not the pennant fish.

Also, juvenile pennant fish photos do indeed show a black spot at base of dorsal fin, but that is not mentioned in my books. I’m not sure why but I’m guessing it’s because it’s not always present - or perhaps because scientists generally don’t like to use colour as a distinguishing feature.

So its a pennant fish. Also called African pompano and many other names which you’d expect for a fish that occurs worldwide.

On whether it’s rare or not, the official range of both species is to Wollongong. Apparently juveniles ride the East Australia current down the coast in late summer and are resident in estuaries in the Sydney area, but die off as the water cools. So not rare, but not common either.

[Blackfish]

Maybe Juvenile Diamond Trevally

[GoingFishing]

Not an African pompano this fish has stripes mate.

Edited April 14, 2019 by GoingFishing

[masterfisho7]

8 hours ago, James Clain said:

My friend caught a small baby African Pompano funny but I knew what it was. We released the fish after the photo and now i am also wondering if anyone els has caught these fish maybe even of a larger size? Are they rare, or rare or in Sydney? Or are they very common? 

Very hard to see from the photo but have to agree with Going Fishing

[frankS]

I'll go with juvenile Pennant Fish, the black blotch on the base of the Dorsal fin gives it away for me.

Frank

[James Clain]

1 hour ago, frankS said:

I'll go with juvenile Pennant Fish, the black blotch on the base of the Dorsal fin gives it away for me.

Frank

A pennant fish is an African Pompano. is it not?

[Killer]

James, yes it is - Other Names: African Pompano, Pennant Fish, Pennant-fish, Round-headed Pennantfish, Threadfin Trevally.

[Keflapod]

I think it's a juvenile diamond trevally. Occurs mainly in QLD. Still it's a very pretty fish.