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Atlantic fanfish (Pterycombus brama) — Bramidae

Atlantic fanfish

Pterycombus brama
Family: Bramidae
LC · Least Concern

The Atlantic fanfish (Pterycombus brama) is a saltwater fish of the family Bramidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–600.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Atlantic fanfish is a fish of the pomfret family (Bramidae) from the Atlantic Ocean. The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with conspicuously tall, sail-like dorsal and anal fins that can be folded away into a groove. It lives oceanically and pelagically to about 400 m deep and is a seasonal migrant that shifts its whereabouts with the seasons. It feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and other zooplankton in the open sea. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Atlantic fanfish?

The Atlantic fanfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Atlantic fanfish live?

The Atlantic fanfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Atlantic fanfish get?

The Atlantic fanfish grows to a maximum of about 46 cm.

Is the Atlantic fanfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Atlantic fanfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Atlantic fanfish edible?

The Atlantic fanfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Atlantische waaierbraam sourced
English name
Atlantic fanfish verified
Scientific name
Pterycombus brama
Family
Bramidae
Other names
Atlantic fanfish; Fanfish; Rough pomfret verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
600.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Bramidae

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