lesser bream
Brama dussumieri
A small pomfret of tropical waters, from the edge of the continental shelf. It is sold fresh and is usually fried.
Also called: japuta-miúda, japuta menuda, lesser bream
- maximum
- 22 cm
- depth
- 1–300 m
who is the lesser bream
Dussumier's pomfret belongs to the family Bramidae and reaches 22.5 cm standard length. It lives in tropical waters near the edge of the continental shelf, 1 to 300 m deep. It has a tall, compressed body, with low pectoral fins in juveniles. It seems to spawn year-round, in repeated spawnings throughout the season. It is sold fresh, and the fishing that catches it is mainly commercial. In Brazil it occurs from the North to the Southeast.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the lesser bream; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It is a multiple, intermittent spawner, spawning in several batches.
identification
A tall, compressed body, typical of bramids, with low pectoral fins in juveniles. The dorsal fin has no spines and is long, made of soft rays. It is told apart from the Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama) by size: Dussumier's pomfret reaches 22.5 cm, while the Atlantic pomfret reaches 100 cm.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
In Latin America it occurs in the eastern Pacific, from Guatemala to Chile, and in the western Atlantic, from the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil, near the edge of the shelf.
Habitat: Near the edge of the continental shelf, 1 to 300 m, in tropical waters.
coast
rules for the lesser bream
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It is not dangerous. Since it comes from as deep as 300 m, it can suffer barotrauma when brought up; release it carefully.
in the kitchen
Sold fresh and usually fried.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01778, b = 2.96; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Brama dussumieri (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Brama dussumieriNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
