POMFRET

any of the approximately 35 species of marine fishes constituting the family Bramidae (order Perciformes), with representatives occurring in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Most are relatively rare. Members of the family are characterized by a single dorsal fin, extending the length of the body in some species. Most species are deep-bodied and have deeply forked tails. Young pomfrets often differ markedly in body and fin form from adults of their species. The blunt-headed Pacific pomfret (Brama japonica) ranges abundantly throughout the north Pacific. The bigscale pomfret (Taractichthys longipinnis) of the Atlantic Ocean, the largest species in the family, reaches a length of 90 cm (35 inches).