Description: color gray, dark or iridescent blue above, shading to
silvery sides, in dark waters showing golden tints around breast;
small permit have teeth on tongue (none on pompano); no scutes; dorsal
fin insertion directly above that of the anal fin; 17 to 21 soft anal
rays.
Similar Fish: pompano, T. carolinus. The permit is deeper bodied;
dorsal body profile forms angle at insertion of second dorsal fin;
pompano rarely grow larger than 6 pounds, permit common to 40 pounds.
Where found: OFFSHORE on wrecks and debris, INSHORE on grass flats,
sand flats, and in channels; most abundant in south Florida, with
smaller specimens from every coastal county.
Size: common to 25 pounds.
*Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 ozs.
Remarks: feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling crabs, shrimp, small clams,
and small fish.
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