Tarpon

Tarpon classification

There are two species of Tarpon: Atlantic tarpon and Indo-Pacific tarpon. Both species belong to the genus Megalops in the family Megalopidae and the order Elopiformes (the Tarpon and Tenpounder order). The name Megalops comes from the Greek word “megal” which means large, and the Greek word “ops”, which means face. The scientific name for the Atlantic tarpon is Megalops atlanticus, while the Indo-Pacific tarpon is named Megalops cyprinoides.

Atlantic tarpon vs. Indo-Pacific tarpon

The Atlantic tarpon is the most well known tarpon species since it is highly popular among sport fishers. It will also grow considerably longer than the Indo-Pacific tarpon; up to 250 centimetres while the Indo-Pacific tarpon stay below 150 centimetres. The greatest reported weight for an Atlantic tarpon is 161 kilograms, while the greatest reported weight for its Indo-Pacific relative is no more than 18 kilograms.

Atlantic tarpon

The Atlantic tarpon is nicknamed “the Silver King” due to its large size and silvery appearance. It feeds on fish and various crustaceans, such as crabs. The Atlantic tarpon is chiefly found in tropical and subtropical parts of the Atlantic. Occasional specimens have however been reported as far north as Nova Scotia in Canada and along the southern coast of France, and as far south as Argentina.

This tarpon prefers coastal waters and is commonly found in lagoon and estuaries. It can also travel up rivers. Spawning does however always take place at sea, just like with all the other members of the order Elopiformes. The Atlantic tarpon

The top of the Atlantic tarpon body is of a bluish or greenish shade, while the sides are silvery. The big Atlantic tarpon is equipped with a large mouth that is turned upwards. The lower jaw has an elongated bony plate. On the dorsal fin, the last ray is significantly longer that all the other rays; it almost reaches the tail. An interesting Atlantic tarpon feature is their ability to fill the swim bladder with air and breathe oxygen directly from the swim bladder.

Indo-Pacific tarpon

The Indo-Pacific tarpon is also known as Oxeye. It is native to the warm tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, brackish waters and freshwater rivers. You can find this species from the Red Sea down to South Africa along the eastern African coast. Indo-Pacific tarpon has been found as far inland as Save-Runde junction in Zimbabwe and the River Shire in Malawi. It is also common in the River Micelo as far up as to Malingapanzi, and in the Lower Zambezi River channels all the way up to Marromeu. The range also includes coastal waters of southern Korea and New South Wales in Australia. In Micronesia, it is found around high islands. The Indo-Pacific tarpon migrates from inland rivers to the open sea in order to reproduce. The spawning always takes place at sea and the larvae that travel to inland freshwater rivers.

The top of the Indo-Pacific tarpon’s body is of an olive green shade, while the sides are silvery. Just like the Atlantic tarpon, the Indo-Pacific tarpon have a large mouth that is turned upwards and a lower jaw that sports an elongated bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin almost reaches the tail of the fish, and is a good deal longer than the other rays. The Indo-Pacific tarpon feed on fish and crustaceans, and just like its larger Atlantic relative it is capable of absorbing oxygen from its air filled swim bladder.

tarphons
two tarpon fish

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