any of several deep-bodied food fishes of western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
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Pompano \Pom"pa*no\, n. [Sp. p['a]mpano.] [Written also {pampano}.] (Zo["o]l.) 1. Any one of several species of marine fishes of the genus {Trachynotus}, of which four species are found on the Atlantic coast of the United States; -- called also {palometa}.
Note: They have a brilliant silvery or golden luster, and are highly esteemed as food fishes. The round pompano ({Trachynotus thomboides}) and the Carolina pompano ({Trachynotus Carolinus}) are the most common. Other species occur on the Pacific coast.
2. A California harvest fish ({Stromateus simillimus}), highly valued as a food fish.
{Pompano shell} (Zo["o]l.), a small bivalve shell of the genus {Donax}; -- so called because eaten by the pompano. [Florida]