Tarpon

Q: Can you eat Tarpon?

Bony flesh with a strong, somewhat coarse texture; rarely eaten in modern sport fishing. Primarily catch-and-release; not commonly consumed due to bones and Vulnerable status.

Q: How big does Tarpon get?

Tarpon can grow up to 250.0 cm long and weigh 161.0 kg.

Q: Where is Tarpon found?

Western and eastern Atlantic from Virginia south through the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and along the South American coast to Brazil; also West Africa. Enters estuaries, lagoons, and freshwater rivers. Coral reefs, estuaries

Q: Is Tarpon endangered?

The conservation status of Tarpon is Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List.

Q: What family does Tarpon belong to?

Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) belongs to the family Megalopidae (Tarpons) in the order Elopiformes.

Abstract

Nicknamed the Silver King for its large, mirror-like scales and towering leaps, the tarpon is an ancient fish whose lineage stretches back more than 100 million years. It can breathe air through a modified, lung-like swim bladder, letting it survive oxygen-poor estuaries, lagoons, and even fresh water. Reaching 2.5 metres and 161 kilograms, it ranges through the western and eastern Atlantic from Virginia to Brazil and West Africa. Its acrobatic fights make it one of the most coveted saltwater sport fish, though its bony flesh is rarely eaten and it is caught almost entirely for release. Assessed as Vulnerable, it is protected in parts of its range.