In the Eastern Atlantic they are also known as the Pompano or Sunfish – very large fish may be confused with the Permit. The Pompano Body is shallow and the body depth decreases proportionally with growth. The dorsal and anal fin lobes are short for all body sizes but the length changes with the growth of the fish. The back and upper sides are a grayish-silvery-blue or bluish-green, the sides silvery, and the ventral surfaces flecked with yellow. The dorsal fin is dusky or bluish, anal fin yellowish or light orange.  The largest know specimen is 25 inches in total length with a weight of 8 lbs in the New York area.  Although the Pompano average around 2 lbs there are times during each season that some show up weighing more than 4 lbs. and sometimes as big as 7 lbs., anything larger is generally the close relative to the Atlantic Permit which can weigh more than 30 lbs.  Spawning mostly occurs in the offshore waters in the Southeastern states from March thru September.  The developed young move inshore and northward along the Eastern States from about May thru December then move out again offshore.  Young and adults are influenced greatly by water temperatures changes.  They run in schools in inlets and along sandy beaches and move in and out with the tides.  The young Pompano eat a variety of invertebrates and some smaller fish.  While the large Pompano like to root in the sand and mud for “Sand Fleas” and small crustaceans.  The food value has been proclaimed to be some of the best with the flesh firm and rich.  Pompano cooking is an art in Florida and Louisiana.