[family Stromateidae]
This is a family of very deep bodied fish, many of which are called something else, and other fish which are not butterfish are called butterfish. see Pompano, Sablefish, Pomfret and others. One I have seen called "Butterfish" was actualy a Piranha. The ones listed here are real butterfish, even though they may be called something else.
more on Varieties of Fish
(very large page).
[Pacific Harvestfish, Peprilus medius |
American Harvistfish Peprilus paru]
These are tropical / subtropical fish. P. medius ranges from the
tip of Baja California to northern Chili. P. paru ranges from
New York to the northern tip of Argentina. Unlike many small fish with
full length fins, they are not difficult to eat and are quite good.
P. paru can grow to a little over 11-1/2 inches, P. medius
to a little over 9-1/2 inches, but the photo specimen was 8-1/4 inches
and weighed 4-1/8 ounces, wild caught in Ecuador.
Details and Cooking.
[Silver Pomfret; Pompano (Philippine); Butterfish; Pampus argenteus
| similar: Chinese Silver Pomfret Pampus chinensis]
This tropical Indo-West Pacific fish is found near coasts from the
Persian Gulf to Borneo, and as far north as mid Japan, but not as far south
as Australia. It is not actually a pomfret but a butterfish. It can grow
to 23 inches but the photo specimen, wild caught in India, was 10 inches
and weighed 9-1/2 ounces, a typical market size here in Los Angeles. This
is a major commercial catch within its range. IUCN rated "Not Evaluated",
White Pomfret is not considered threatened. It is, in fact, expected to
have extended its range by 2050.
Details and Cooking.