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pilot fish:see pompanopompano
, common name for fishes of the genus Trachinotus, members of a large and important family (Carangidae) of mackerellike fishes, abundant in warm seas around the world.
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(Naucrates ductor), a marine fish of the family Carangidae. Body length, up to 60 cm. There are ridges of thickened scales on the caudal peduncle, and the first dorsal fin consists of three short spines. The body is bluish white with five to seven dark blue, broad, vertical bands. The pilot fish is found in all tropical and subtropical seas; during the summer it sometimes travels to temperate waters. It migrates long distances in the company of sharks or alongside of ships, feeding on small fish, crustaceans, and other animal life. Spawning occurs in the open sea.