Brama (fish)

Eight recognized species are in this genus:[1]

• Brama australis Valenciennes, 1838 (southern Ray's bream)
• Brama brama (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Atlantic pomfret)
• Brama caribbea Mead, 1972 (Caribbean pomfret)
• Brama dussumieri G. Cuvier, 1831 (lesser bream)
• Brama japonica Hilgendorf, 1878 (Pacific pomfret)
• Brama myersi Mead, 1972 (Myers' pomfret)
• Brama orcini G. Cuvier, 1831 (bigtooth pomfret)
• Brama pauciradiata Moteki, Fujita & Last, 1995 (shortfin pomfret) [2]

The genus Brama is predominately pelagic and can be found globally in the high seas, with the exception of arctic and subarctic waters. This is true with the exception of two species, Brama orcini and Brama dussumieri, which occupy shallower waters surrounding landmasses.[3]

Some Brama spp. are common and, when large, are sought after by fisheries, especially fisheries around Spain and Portugal.[3]

Despite it being known that these fishes are migratory, little has been reported on their migratory habits. It has been predicted that spawning takes place near the surface, as the smallest larvae are typically collected in shallow waters.[3] It is common for bramids, including Brama spp. to be found in the stomachs of large pelagic predators, such as tuna, cod, and billfish (the Cuban billfish (Xiphias), has been reported to have a diet that consists of 37% Brama spp.[4]). They are therefore considered to be an important forage fish for many predators.[3]