629:. Unlike the larvae of other fish these larvae do not eat as their long slender bodies have very low energy requirements. While larvae the Atlantic tarpon's teeth grow pointed forward to keep debris out of their mouth. The leptocephali develop into juveniles which make their way inshore, often into stagnant water with a very low oxygen content which can't be tolerated by most of their predators. When they are about three years old Atlantic tarpon migrate from these backwater habitats to a variety of nearshore ones, growing rapidly but primarily in length as opposed to girth. At around eight years of age an Atlantic tarpon reaches its sexual maturity and begins to gain length as well as girth. Growth rates also diverge at this point with males growing much slower than females. Sexually mature Atlantic tarpon will begin migrating to join
497:
158:
133:
114:
551:
543:
515:, not only because of their size and their accessible haunts, but also because of their fighting spirit when hooked; they are very strong, making spectacular leaps into the air. They are the largest species targeted by fly fishermen in shallow water. The flesh is undesirable, commonly described as being smelly and bony. In
558:
Since tarpons are not commercially valuable as a food fish, very little has been documented concerning their geographical distribution and migrations. They inhabit both sides of the
Atlantic Ocean. Their range in the eastern Atlantic has been reliably established from Senegal to the Congo. Tarpons
597:
and back for over 80 years. Since tarpons tolerate a wide range of salinity and are opportunistic feeders, their migrations are limited only by water temperatures. They prefer water temperatures of 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F); below 16 °C (61 °F) they become inactive, and
559:
inhabiting the western
Atlantic are principally found to populate warmer coastal waters primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies. Nonetheless, they are regularly caught by anglers at
372:
The tarpon has a reputation for great aerobatics, attaining astonishing size, and having impressive armored scales. It is generally considered to be of poor food quality, but it is highly valued as a
402:
are low. In appearance, it is greenish or bluish on top and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned upwards and the lower jaw contains an elongated, bony plate. The last ray of the
485:
Atlantic tarpon adapt well to urban and suburban environments due to their tolerance for boat traffic and low water quality. Around humans
Atlantic tarpon are primarily nocturnal.
488:
While the
Atlantic tarpon is rarely consumed in the United States, subsistence and commercial fisheries exist in a number of countries. Both their meat and roe are consumed.
873:
387:
It has been recorded at up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) in length and weighing up to 161 kg (355 lb). Males rarely weigh more than 100 pounds.
630:
1152:
Castellanos-Galindo, Gustavo A.; et al. (2019). "Atlantic Tarpon in the
Tropical Eastern Pacific 80 years after it first crossed the Panama Canal".
736:
1457:
1187:
Hildebrand, Samuel F. (1939). "The Panama Canal as a
Passageway for Fishes, with Lists and Remarks on the Fishes and Invertebrates Observed".
1532:
617:
Atlantic tarpon breed in spawning aggregations in the open ocean. Atlantic tarpon share a unique larval stage known as a leptocephalus with
582:
Atlantic tarpon are highly migratory and often cross international boundaries. This introduces challenges in management and conservation.
1638:
1431:
982:
805:
1653:
1483:
1207:
361:. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean, typically in tropical and subtropical regions, though it has been reported as far north as
1658:
1545:
1488:
1648:
1012:
17:
929:
1405:
1123:
1066:
1597:
672:
1668:
1663:
1537:
839:
1234:
1358:
747:
1615:
1331:
1271:
531:
they are a revered game fish with only potential state records (fish over 75 inches) allowed to be kept.
1673:
1470:
1366:
1371:
1263:
1589:
1039:
599:
1602:
1096:
714:
157:
1524:
598:
temperatures under 4 °C (39 °F) can be lethal. A large tarpon community is found in the
384:
Atlantic tarpon evolved approximately 18 million years ago and are one of the oldest living fish.
690:
Adams, A.; Guindon, K.; Horodysky, A.; MacDonald, T.; McBride, R.; Shenker, J.; Ward, R. (2019).
576:
1576:
1511:
1462:
1293:
449:
496:
1571:
252:
1563:
1501:
1345:
1643:
1392:
1340:
464:
442:
268:
523:, a special permit is required to kill and keep a tarpon, so most tarpon fishing there is
8:
773:
647:
122:
990:
1169:
956:
902:
691:
441:
and for decorative purposes since pre-history. Their crushed up scales also feature in
277:
152:
137:
425:
stage absorbing nutrients directly from the water, those in the juvenile stage eating
365:
and the
Atlantic coast of southern France, and as far south as Argentina. As with all
1558:
1379:
1173:
524:
1384:
1161:
874:"New study reveals international movements of Atlantic Tarpon, need for protection"
709:
399:
1275:
342:
1151:
1165:
603:
453:
199:
689:
429:
and other small prey, and adults primarily consuming fish, crabs, and shrimp.
1632:
1496:
1410:
1316:
1281:
801:
700:
642:
560:
504:
422:
142:
71:
421:
The diet of the
Atlantic tarpon changes as the fish grows with those in the
1475:
586:
457:
391:
989:. Alabama Department of Archives & History. 2006-04-27. Archived from
575:. In the Gulf of Mexico there are two distinct populations divided by the
1519:
1444:
1325:
564:
478:
The tarpon is the official state saltwater fish of the
American state of
426:
366:
362:
209:
46:
585:
Scientific studies indicate schools have routinely migrated through the
1436:
1423:
611:
438:
403:
91:
56:
113:
1449:
572:
512:
373:
169:
96:
1287:
463:
The
Atlantic tarpon was first described scientifically by zoologist
1418:
1310:
814:
778:
652:
622:
618:
590:
534:
Tarpon are known by English speaking anglers as “The Silver King."
189:
86:
81:
66:
61:
51:
1268:
550:
369:, it spawns at sea. Its diet includes small fish and crustaceans.
1610:
607:
594:
568:
520:
516:
479:
346:
101:
76:
39:
1550:
1397:
1353:
415:
350:
229:
219:
179:
1584:
1067:"A Crappy Boat Ride, a Record Catch and a Fly-Fishing Frenzy"
528:
406:
is much longer than the others, reaching nearly to the tail.
354:
683:
626:
395:
673:"†Megalops atlanticus Valenciennes 1847 (ray-finned fish)"
537:
1208:"Alone in Tarpon Paradise Along with Trinidad and Tobago"
542:
1147:
1145:
1142:
414:
The Atlantic tarpon's most significant predators are
448:
An Atlantic tarpon is depicted in the fresco on the
511:Tarpons are considered one of the great saltwater
1235:"Tarpon in Pacific Costa Rica Focus of New Study"
1090:
1088:
1630:
833:
831:
829:
827:
825:
715:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T191823A174796143.en
437:The scales of Atlantic tarpon have been used as
1085:
867:
865:
863:
861:
822:
858:
771:
432:
398:. This gives it a predatory advantage when
1186:
131:
112:
1269:Bonefish and Tarpon Conservation Research
713:
1010:
909:. The University of Southern Mississippi
549:
541:
495:
800:
610:a population has become established in
538:Geographical distribution and migration
14:
1631:
1232:
1205:
1124:"Texas Tarpon: The Mighty Silver King"
1037:
837:
1292:
1291:
1154:Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
1094:
930:"Tarpon remain a fascinating species"
897:
895:
501:The Leap of the Silver King -- Tarpon
1616:89832346-BECA-45A5-BE5D-D111DA7EBF70
1590:26061E66-6643-8A3F-9D69-A6855ABF8FF3
475:being inspired by their large eyes.
1013:"Tarpon Fishing Grounds in Alabama"
987:Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors
927:
794:
701:IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
546:Illustration of an Atlantic Tarpon.
390:A tarpon is capable of filling its
24:
1121:
954:
892:
25:
1685:
1257:
1233:Staley, Todd (28 February 2018).
1064:
983:"Official Alabama Saltwater Fish"
765:
1639:IUCN Red List vulnerable species
1095:Moore, Chester (5 August 2021).
1011:Kirkland, Walter (17 May 2014).
871:
156:
44:
1226:
1199:
1180:
1115:
1058:
1031:
1004:
975:
948:
744:Deeplyfish- fishes of the world
491:
1654:Fish of the Dominican Republic
1206:HEAVEY, BILL (26 April 2004).
921:
838:Larkin, Michael (5 May 2015).
772:Froese, R.; Pauly, D. (2017).
729:
665:
379:
345:that inhabits coastal waters,
13:
1:
658:
1659:Euryhaline fish of Nicaragua
1130:. Texas Wildlife Association
1038:Conner, Mike (11 May 2020).
7:
840:"The Science Behind Tarpon"
636:
409:
394:with air, like a primitive
376:by recreational fishermen.
10:
1690:
1649:Fish of the Atlantic Ocean
1166:10.1007/s11160-019-09565-z
1044:www.saltwatersportsman.com
844:www.saltwatersportsman.com
445:, particularly in Brazil.
400:oxygen levels in the water
357:. It is also known as the
1300:
283:
276:
258:
251:
153:Scientific classification
151:
129:
120:
111:
34:
1241:. Sport Fishing Magazine
1103:. Sport Fishing Magazine
1019:. Sport Fishing Magazine
804:; Pauly, Daniel (eds.).
433:Relationship with humans
1097:"Tracking Texas Tarpon"
1017:www.sportfishingmag.com
957:"Michelangelo's Tarpon"
708:: e.T191823A174796143.
577:Mississippi River Delta
1669:Fish described in 1847
1664:Fish of Lake Nicaragua
1212:www.fieldandstream.com
1128:www.texas-wildlife.org
846:. Salt Water Sportsman
555:
547:
508:
1572:Paleobiology Database
1284:on Sealife Collection
1046:. Saltwater Sportsman
1040:"Urban Tarpon on Fly"
880:. University of Miami
631:spawning aggregations
553:
545:
499:
1073:. Sports Illustrated
507:for Atlantic tarpon)
465:Achille Valenciennes
443:traditional medicine
1359:megalops-atlanticus
1346:Megalops_atlanticus
1332:Megalops atlanticus
1302:Megalops atlanticus
1122:Graves, Russell A.
1101:sportfishingmag.com
818:. May 2005 version.
808:Megalops atlanticus
694:Megalops atlanticus
648:Indo-Pacific tarpon
469:Megalops atlanticus
338:Megalops atlanticus
290:(Valenciennes 1847)
262:Megalops atlanticus
123:Conservation status
18:Megalops atlanticus
1674:Symbols of Alabama
1274:2018-12-17 at the
1214:. Field and Stream
753:on 2 December 2017
556:
548:
509:
311:Megalops elongatus
303:Megalops giganteus
244:M. atlanticus
1626:
1625:
1559:Open Tree of Life
1294:Taxon identifiers
1239:ortfishingmag.com
936:. Tampa Bay Times
903:"Atlantic Tarpon"
781:version (02/2017)
525:catch and release
329:
328:
323:
315:
307:
299:
291:
287:Tarpon atlanticus
146:
16:(Redirected from
1681:
1619:
1618:
1606:
1605:
1593:
1592:
1580:
1579:
1567:
1566:
1554:
1553:
1541:
1540:
1528:
1527:
1515:
1514:
1505:
1504:
1492:
1491:
1479:
1478:
1466:
1465:
1453:
1452:
1440:
1439:
1427:
1426:
1414:
1413:
1401:
1400:
1388:
1387:
1375:
1374:
1362:
1361:
1349:
1348:
1336:
1335:
1334:
1321:
1320:
1319:
1289:
1288:
1251:
1250:
1248:
1246:
1230:
1224:
1223:
1221:
1219:
1203:
1197:
1196:
1184:
1178:
1177:
1149:
1140:
1139:
1137:
1135:
1119:
1113:
1112:
1110:
1108:
1092:
1083:
1082:
1080:
1078:
1062:
1056:
1055:
1053:
1051:
1035:
1029:
1028:
1026:
1024:
1008:
1002:
1001:
999:
998:
979:
973:
972:
970:
968:
955:Duncan, Norman.
952:
946:
945:
943:
941:
934:www.tampabay.com
928:Tomalin, Terry.
925:
919:
918:
916:
914:
899:
890:
889:
887:
885:
869:
856:
855:
853:
851:
835:
820:
819:
798:
792:
791:
789:
787:
769:
763:
762:
760:
758:
752:
746:. Archived from
741:
733:
727:
726:
724:
722:
717:
687:
681:
680:
669:
321:
319:Amia subargentea
313:
305:
297:
289:
264:
161:
160:
140:
135:
134:
116:
106:
38:Temporal range:
32:
31:
21:
1689:
1688:
1684:
1683:
1682:
1680:
1679:
1678:
1629:
1628:
1627:
1622:
1614:
1609:
1601:
1596:
1588:
1583:
1575:
1570:
1562:
1557:
1549:
1544:
1536:
1531:
1523:
1518:
1510:
1508:
1500:
1495:
1487:
1482:
1474:
1469:
1461:
1456:
1448:
1443:
1435:
1430:
1422:
1417:
1409:
1404:
1396:
1391:
1383:
1378:
1370:
1365:
1357:
1352:
1344:
1339:
1330:
1329:
1324:
1315:
1314:
1309:
1296:
1282:Atlantic tarpon
1276:Wayback Machine
1264:Save the Tarpon
1260:
1255:
1254:
1244:
1242:
1231:
1227:
1217:
1215:
1204:
1200:
1185:
1181:
1150:
1143:
1133:
1131:
1120:
1116:
1106:
1104:
1093:
1086:
1076:
1074:
1063:
1059:
1049:
1047:
1036:
1032:
1022:
1020:
1009:
1005:
996:
994:
981:
980:
976:
966:
964:
953:
949:
939:
937:
926:
922:
912:
910:
901:
900:
893:
883:
881:
870:
859:
849:
847:
836:
823:
799:
795:
785:
783:
770:
766:
756:
754:
750:
739:
735:
734:
730:
720:
718:
688:
684:
671:
670:
666:
661:
639:
571:, and south to
554:Atlantic tarpon
540:
503:(depicts early
494:
435:
412:
382:
343:ray-finned fish
333:Atlantic tarpon
295:Clupea gigantea
272:
266:
260:
247:
155:
147:
136:
132:
125:
107:
105:
104:
99:
94:
89:
84:
79:
74:
69:
64:
59:
54:
49:
43:
36:
35:Atlantic tarpon
28:
27:Species of fish
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1687:
1677:
1676:
1671:
1666:
1661:
1656:
1651:
1646:
1641:
1624:
1623:
1621:
1620:
1607:
1594:
1581:
1568:
1555:
1542:
1529:
1516:
1506:
1493:
1480:
1467:
1454:
1441:
1428:
1415:
1402:
1389:
1376:
1363:
1350:
1337:
1322:
1306:
1304:
1298:
1297:
1286:
1285:
1278:
1266:
1259:
1258:External links
1256:
1253:
1252:
1225:
1198:
1179:
1160:(2): 401–416.
1141:
1114:
1084:
1065:Burke, Monte.
1057:
1030:
1003:
974:
961:midcurrent.com
947:
920:
891:
878:news.miami.edu
857:
821:
802:Froese, Rainer
793:
764:
728:
682:
663:
662:
660:
657:
656:
655:
650:
645:
638:
635:
604:Lake Nicaragua
563:and as far as
539:
536:
493:
490:
454:Sistine Chapel
434:
431:
411:
408:
381:
378:
327:
326:
325:
324:
316:
308:
300:
292:
281:
280:
274:
273:
267:
256:
255:
249:
248:
241:
239:
235:
234:
227:
223:
222:
217:
213:
212:
207:
203:
202:
200:Actinopterygii
197:
193:
192:
187:
183:
182:
177:
173:
172:
167:
163:
162:
149:
148:
130:
127:
126:
121:
118:
117:
109:
108:
100:
95:
90:
85:
80:
75:
70:
65:
60:
55:
50:
45:
37:
26:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1686:
1675:
1672:
1670:
1667:
1665:
1662:
1660:
1657:
1655:
1652:
1650:
1647:
1645:
1642:
1640:
1637:
1636:
1634:
1617:
1612:
1608:
1604:
1599:
1595:
1591:
1586:
1582:
1578:
1573:
1569:
1565:
1560:
1556:
1552:
1547:
1543:
1539:
1534:
1530:
1526:
1521:
1517:
1513:
1507:
1503:
1498:
1494:
1490:
1485:
1481:
1477:
1472:
1468:
1464:
1459:
1455:
1451:
1446:
1442:
1438:
1433:
1429:
1425:
1420:
1416:
1412:
1407:
1403:
1399:
1394:
1390:
1386:
1381:
1377:
1373:
1368:
1364:
1360:
1355:
1351:
1347:
1342:
1338:
1333:
1327:
1323:
1318:
1312:
1308:
1307:
1305:
1303:
1299:
1295:
1290:
1283:
1279:
1277:
1273:
1270:
1267:
1265:
1262:
1261:
1240:
1236:
1229:
1213:
1209:
1202:
1194:
1190:
1183:
1175:
1171:
1167:
1163:
1159:
1155:
1148:
1146:
1129:
1125:
1118:
1102:
1098:
1091:
1089:
1072:
1068:
1061:
1045:
1041:
1034:
1018:
1014:
1007:
993:on 2017-05-31
992:
988:
984:
978:
962:
958:
951:
935:
931:
924:
908:
904:
898:
896:
879:
875:
872:Udel, Diana.
868:
866:
864:
862:
845:
841:
834:
832:
830:
828:
826:
817:
816:
811:
809:
803:
797:
782:
780:
775:
774:"Megalopidae"
768:
749:
745:
738:
737:"Megalopidae"
732:
716:
711:
707:
703:
702:
697:
695:
686:
678:
674:
668:
664:
654:
651:
649:
646:
644:
643:Flats fishing
641:
640:
634:
632:
628:
624:
620:
615:
613:
609:
605:
601:
596:
592:
588:
583:
580:
578:
574:
570:
566:
562:
561:Cape Hatteras
552:
544:
535:
532:
530:
526:
522:
518:
514:
506:
505:sport fishing
502:
498:
489:
486:
483:
481:
476:
474:
470:
466:
461:
460:around 1510.
459:
456:completed by
455:
451:
446:
444:
440:
430:
428:
424:
423:leptocephalus
419:
417:
407:
405:
401:
397:
393:
388:
385:
377:
375:
370:
368:
364:
360:
356:
352:
348:
344:
340:
339:
334:
320:
317:
312:
309:
304:
301:
296:
293:
288:
285:
284:
282:
279:
275:
270:
265:
263:
257:
254:
253:Binomial name
250:
246:
245:
240:
237:
236:
233:
232:
228:
225:
224:
221:
218:
215:
214:
211:
208:
205:
204:
201:
198:
195:
194:
191:
188:
185:
184:
181:
178:
175:
174:
171:
168:
165:
164:
159:
154:
150:
144:
139:
128:
124:
119:
115:
110:
103:
98:
93:
88:
83:
78:
73:
68:
63:
58:
53:
48:
41:
33:
30:
19:
1301:
1243:. Retrieved
1238:
1228:
1216:. Retrieved
1211:
1201:
1192:
1188:
1182:
1157:
1153:
1132:. Retrieved
1127:
1117:
1105:. Retrieved
1100:
1075:. Retrieved
1070:
1060:
1048:. Retrieved
1043:
1033:
1021:. Retrieved
1016:
1006:
995:. Retrieved
991:the original
986:
977:
965:. Retrieved
963:. Midcurrent
960:
950:
938:. Retrieved
933:
923:
911:. Retrieved
907:gcrl.usm.edu
906:
882:. Retrieved
877:
848:. Retrieved
843:
813:
807:
796:
784:. Retrieved
777:
767:
755:. Retrieved
748:the original
743:
731:
719:. Retrieved
705:
699:
693:
685:
676:
667:
616:
600:Rio San Juan
587:Panama Canal
584:
581:
557:
533:
510:
500:
492:Game fishing
487:
484:
477:
472:
468:
462:
458:Michelangelo
447:
436:
420:
418:and humans.
413:
392:swim bladder
389:
386:
383:
371:
358:
337:
336:
332:
330:
318:
310:
302:
294:
286:
269:Valenciennes
261:
259:
243:
242:
230:
29:
1644:Megalopidae
1520:NatureServe
1445:iNaturalist
1326:Wikispecies
1134:10 December
1077:10 December
1023:10 December
940:10 December
884:10 December
850:10 December
721:19 November
565:Nova Scotia
513:game fishes
467:in 1847 as
427:zooplankton
380:Description
367:elopiformes
363:Nova Scotia
359:silver king
322:Browne 1789
314:Girard 1859
306:(Shaw 1804)
220:Megalopidae
210:Elopiformes
1633:Categories
1280:Photos of
1071:www.si.com
1050:8 December
997:2007-03-18
659:References
612:Costa Rica
439:nail files
404:dorsal fin
138:Vulnerable
1189:Zoologica
1174:139104632
606:. In the
589:from the
573:Argentina
374:game fish
347:estuaries
298:Shaw 1804
238:Species:
176:Kingdom:
170:Eukaryota
1525:2.103709
1463:10157864
1419:FishBase
1311:Wikidata
1272:Archived
1195:: 15–45.
815:FishBase
779:FishBase
653:Milkfish
637:See also
623:ladyfish
619:bonefish
591:Atlantic
473:Megalops
410:Behavior
278:Synonyms
231:Megalops
216:Family:
190:Chordata
186:Phylum:
180:Animalia
166:Domain:
143:IUCN 3.1
42:-recent,
1611:ZooBank
1437:5203123
1317:Q756975
1218:13 July
608:Pacific
595:Pacific
593:to the
569:Bermuda
521:Alabama
517:Florida
480:Alabama
452:of the
450:ceiling
351:lagoons
341:) is a
226:Genus:
206:Order:
196:Class:
141: (
40:Miocene
1603:126430
1564:854190
1551:126430
1502:191823
1489:161116
1411:120709
1398:339927
1354:ARKive
1245:16 May
1172:
1107:16 May
967:18 May
913:18 May
786:18 May
757:18 May
625:, and
416:sharks
355:rivers
353:, and
271:, 1847
1598:WoRMS
1585:Plazi
1577:83218
1509:NAS:
1476:75520
1458:IRMNG
1450:51402
1406:EUNIS
1385:3YVJ9
1372:29224
1170:S2CID
751:(PDF)
740:(PDF)
529:Texas
527:. In
1546:OBIS
1538:7932
1533:NCBI
1497:IUCN
1484:ITIS
1432:GBIF
1424:1079
1367:BOLD
1247:2022
1220:2021
1136:2020
1109:2022
1079:2020
1052:2020
1025:2020
969:2021
942:2020
915:2021
886:2020
852:2020
788:2017
759:2017
723:2021
706:2019
677:PBDB
627:eels
602:and
519:and
396:lung
331:The
47:PreꞒ
1512:775
1471:ISC
1393:EoL
1380:CoL
1341:ADW
1162:doi
710:doi
579:.
1635::
1613::
1600::
1587::
1574::
1561::
1548::
1535::
1522::
1499::
1486::
1473::
1460::
1447::
1434::
1421::
1408::
1395::
1382::
1369::
1356::
1343::
1328::
1313::
1237:.
1210:.
1193:24
1191:.
1168:.
1158:29
1156:.
1144:^
1126:.
1099:.
1087:^
1069:.
1042:.
1015:.
985:.
959:.
932:.
905:.
894:^
876:.
860:^
842:.
824:^
812:.
776:.
742:.
704:.
698:.
675:.
633:.
621:,
614:.
567:,
482:.
471:,
349:,
97:Pg
1249:.
1222:.
1176:.
1164::
1138:.
1111:.
1081:.
1054:.
1027:.
1000:.
971:.
944:.
917:.
888:.
854:.
810:"
806:"
790:.
761:.
725:.
712::
696:"
692:"
679:.
335:(
145:)
102:N
92:K
87:J
82:T
77:P
72:C
67:D
62:S
57:O
52:Ꞓ
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
