How to Identify Irish Pompano

To identify Irish Pompano (Diapterus auratus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

compressed

Coloration

Silvery, often with a dusky or yellowish tint on the back and fins. Juveniles may exhibit faint vertical bars or spots that fade with age. The inside of the mouth and gill cavity are typically dark.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

inferior

Distinctive features

Deep, highly compressed body, Extremely protrusible mouth, forming a downward-pointing tube when extended, Long, pointed pectoral fins, Second dorsal and anal fins with elongated rays in adults, Dark pigmentation inside the mouth and gill cavity

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin, deeply notched, with 9-10 spines and 10-11 soft rays. The second spine is typically the longest.

Tail fin

Deeply forked caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Long and pointed, reaching beyond the origin of the anal fin.

Distinctive fins

Anal fin with 3 spines and 8 soft rays. Pelvic fins are thoracic.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Body Shape and Coloration

   Look for a deep, silvery, compressed body. Juveniles might have faint bars.

2. 2

   Mouth

   Observe the highly protrusible mouth that forms a downward-pointing tube when extended. The dark interior of the mouth and gill cavity is a key identifier.

3. 3

   Fins

   Note the long, pointed pectoral fins and the deeply forked caudal fin. The second dorsal spine is usually the longest.

4. 4

   Habitat

   Often found in shallow, sandy or muddy areas of estuaries and coastal waters.

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