knifetail pomfret
Taractes rubescens
A tropical open-sea fish, found from 0 to 600 m, of sport and commercial interest. It usually travels alone and is highly migratory.
Also called: lira, knifetail pomfret, keeltail pomfret, japuta negra
- maximum
- 89 cm
- depth
- 0–600 m
who is the knifetail pomfret
The lira belongs to the family Bramidae (pomfrets) and reaches 89 cm. It lives in tropical waters, from the surface down to 600 m, in the open sea. It is a highly migratory species and usually lives alone. It has sport interest and is also caught commercially. Its body is compressed, with a strong keel on the caudal peduncle. The species occurs in both the western Atlantic and the eastern Pacific, and also off the west coast of Africa. Juveniles have very long fins.
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 knifetail pomfret; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- Adults usually travel alone.
- It is a highly migratory species.
identification
Compressed body, with a strong keel on the caudal peduncle, formed by large, fused scales. It has scaleless areas above and behind the eyes, and the lateral line disappears in adults. Juveniles have very long fins. The tail keel is the trait that helps tell the lira apart from other species of the family Bramidae.
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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 Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Mexico, in open sea and tropical waters.
Habitat: Tropical open sea, from the surface to 600 m.
coast
rules for the knifetail pomfret
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 to anglers. Since it comes from as deep as 600 m, it can suffer barotrauma; release it carefully.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01122, b = 3.04; 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: Taractes rubescens (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Taractes rubescensNames 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.
