Permit are sleek, silvery fish with a distinctive dark shoulder blot and slightly compressed body shape. They patrol shallow coastal flats and reef edges, feeding on crustaceans and small fish by rooting through sand and rubble. Solitary or in loose groups, they are prized by sight-casting anglers for their cautious behaviour and explosive strikes. Divers often spot them in clear water on tropical and subtropical flats, where their sudden appearance and quick departure make for memorable encounters.
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.