Skip to content
fishing forecast

atlantic pomfret

Brama brama · Bramidae · predator

An open-sea pomfret that sometimes comes close to the coast, with its flesh sold fresh and frozen.

Also called: japuta-do-atlântico, japuta, palometa negra, atlantic pomfret

Scientific illustration of Atlantic pomfret
maximum
100 cm
record/max.
6.0 kg
depth
0–200 m
location

Sample location: choose yours to see the forecast for where you fish.

period

Reading the weather across 3 global models and 31 simulations…

the species

everything about the atlantic pomfret

overview

who is the atlantic pomfret

The Atlantic pomfret belongs to the family Bramidae and reaches 100 cm and 6 kg. It is an oceanic, epipelagic species that also goes down to 1,000 m and occasionally approaches the coast. It lives in small schools. It feeds on small fish, cephalopods, amphipods and euphausiids. It is caught commercially and sold fresh and frozen. In Latin America it occurs in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Belize and Chile.

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 atlantic pomfret; in the meantime, see the similar species.

fun facts

  • It can live up to 9 years.
how to recognize it

identification

Compressed, deep body, with a steeply sloping, curved head profile. The dorsal and anal fins are covered in scales and have stiff rays, and the dorsal fin has no spines. To tell it apart from Dussumier's pomfret (Brama dussumieri), look at size: the Atlantic pomfret reaches 100 cm, while Dussumier's pomfret reaches 22.5 cm.

distribution

where found

open on the large map

In Latin America it occurs in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Belize and Chile, in open sea, sometimes close to the coast.

Habitat: Open sea, epipelagic waters, 0 to 200 m; sometimes approaches the coast.

coast

North CoastNortheast CoastSoutheast CoastSouth Coastshelfoceanic
what the law says

rules for the atlantic 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. When it comes from deeper waters it suffers barotrauma; release it carefully.

in the kitchen

Sold fresh and frozen, it can be steamed, fried, grilled or baked.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01175, b = 3.01; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.

estimated weight

—

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.

  1. scientific FishBase: Brama brama (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
  2. scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Brama bramaNames by country and language.
  3. 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.
don't confuse

similar species