The black pomfret is a commercially important marine fish known for its distinctive dark coloration, deep, compressed body, and mild, firm white flesh. It is not a “true” pomfret (family Bramidae) but rather belongs to the jack family (Carangidae). Adults typically have a bluish-brown to silvery-grey body with a darker, sometimes blackish, sheen. The belly area is often lighter, a silvery-white. The fins have dark edges, while the anterior parts of the dorsal and anal fins may appear bluish-grey.

Black pomfrets are found in the Indo-West Pacific region, inhabiting coastal waters and estuaries with muddy or sandy seabeds. They form large schools and exhibit unique swimming behavior, sometimes swimming on their side near the surface at night to feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates.

The black pomfret is a popular food fish in many Asian countries, usually used for curries, sweet and sour, deep-fried, grilling and sometimes even steamed in Chinese cooking. Some may find the taste a bit too fishy.

Those caught in coastal water of Seberang Perai tends to be of smaller size, probably due to overfishing, although they can grow to much bigger sizes.