Brama brama
Fish, Pomfret
Fish
Chordata
Actinopterygii
Bramidae
Rays Bream is the offshore, mid-water equivalent of the Trevally. It is a deep-bodied species which can reach lengths of 40-60cm. It has a narrow deep body which ends is a strong deeply forked tail and it has a large eye near the tip of the blunt snout. The dorsal and anal fins come to a sharp. triangular peak which is thought to improve stability at speed, the pectoral fins are long, stiff and scythe like. Each scale is slightly serrated, which gives the body a rough texture. The fish is silver tinged with dark grey above, paler below, it has a prominent golden eye. Top and bottom jaws are armoured with sharply pointed teeth all pointing backwards.
It is found in most of the worlds temperate seas at depths up to 500m.
It probably feeds upon small fish and shrimps in the mid-water regions.
Included in combined daily limit of 30 finfish
Not targeted commercially, but some is caught at bycatch in other fisheries.
NZ Marine Fishes: Paul
Collins Guide to the Sea fishes of NZ: Ayling & Cox