African pompano

Beautiful fins that flutter like threads.

Scientific name	Alectis ciliaris
English name	African pompano
Japanese name	Itohikiaji
Classification	Actinopterygii
Classification details	Perciformes Carangidae
Full length	about 1m for adults
Distribution	Widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics

Characteristics

It is so named because the anal and dorsal fins of juveniles are elongated like threads.

The body is bright silver, and juveniles have a dark gray longitudinal band. The long fins are whitish, and the moment you meet them, you feel like a jellyfish. Juveniles are rhombic in shape, but as they grow they become elongated.

Ecology

Widely inhabits tropical and subtropical seas.

Juvenile fish swim near the surface of the sea, but adults live in depths of several tens of meters. Adults prey on other small fish and crustaceans.

Habitat

Miura Peninsula Arasaki

In October, when I entered the sea from the tide pool as usual, I was surprised to see something like jellyfish tentacles. I panicked for a moment, but when I looked closely, it was a beautiful small fish.

I tried to swim offshore while fluttering its filamentous fins, so I ran side by side to take the picture. It was swimming near the surface of the water, sometimes leaning sideways.