TARPONS - MEGALOPIDAE
General:
About 2.2 m maximum length.
Larval stage leptocephalic translucid.
Large silvery fishes. Can tolerate oxygen-poor water by inhaling air into lung-like swim bladder. Popular sportfishes.
Fusiform, compressed body. Mouth terminal, oblique or superior, lower jaw prominent, gular plate ventral between two branches of lower jaw. Pseudo- branchiae absent. Branchiostegal rays: 23-27. Single dorsal fin without spines; dorsal fin rays: 13-21; filamentous last dorsal ray. Pectorals very low. Anal fin rays: 22-29. Pelvic fin rays: 10-11. Conus arteriosus present. Branched tubes radiating over lateral line scales. Swim bladder lying against skull.
About 2.2 m maximum length.
Larval stage leptocephalic translucid.
Large silvery fishes. Can tolerate oxygen-poor water by inhaling air into lung-like swim bladder. Popular sportfishes.
Fusiform, compressed body. Mouth terminal, oblique or superior, lower jaw prominent, gular plate ventral between two branches of lower jaw. Pseudo- branchiae absent. Branchiostegal rays: 23-27. Single dorsal fin without spines; dorsal fin rays: 13-21; filamentous last dorsal ray. Pectorals very low. Anal fin rays: 22-29. Pelvic fin rays: 10-11. Conus arteriosus present. Branched tubes radiating over lateral line scales. Swim bladder lying against skull.
