Species: Megalops atlanticus, Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1847

Tarpon

Body oblong but elongate, strongly compressed; head short, deep, profile straight above, convex below; eye large; mouth large, oblique, opening above, lower jaw projecting; a long bony plate between lower jaws; teeth small, simple, on jaws, roof of mouth, tongue and lower base of gill arches; fins without spines; one dorsal fin, 13-16 rays, last filamentous; anal fin 21-25, base much larger than dorsal fin base; pelvic fins on abdomen; tail fin large, deeply forked; lateral line complete, tubes with branches radiating over surface of lateral line scales; scales very large, smooth; 41-48 on lateral line.

Bright silver, back greyish, fins grey.

Size: 263 cm; 161 kg; IGFA record 130 kg. Maximum age 78 y

Habitat: estuaries, occasionally around reefs; enters freshwater.

Depth: 0-149 m.

West and east Atlantic; Virginia to Central Brazil.