Florida Tarpon Fishing
Family Elopidae, TARPONS
Megalops atlanticus
Illustrations and Copyright by Diane Rome Peebles
Illustrations are for viewing purposes only.
Description: last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin; back dark blue to green or greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides; may be brownish gold in estuarien waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward.
Similar Fish: (as juveniles) ladyfish, Elops saurus.
Where found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn OFFSHORE where the ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found.
Size: most angler catchs 40 to 50 pounds.
Florida Record: 243 lbs.
Remarks: slow grower; matures at 7 to 13 years of age; spawning occurs between May and September; female may lay more than 12 million eggs; can tolerate wide range of salinity; juveniles commonly found in fresh water; can breathe air at surface; feeds mainly on fish and large crustaceans.
For more about Florida saltwater fish please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
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Member
of Indian River Guides Association (IRGA) an organization established in 2000 to
protect the waters and fishery of the Indian River Lagoon System. |
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