Species encyclopedia

Atlantic Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus

Biology

Tarpons live in coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons and sometimes even rivers. They travel in large shoals and stay at the same site for years.

They are voracious predators that prefer to hunt fish in shoals, like sardines. They also feed on the occasional crab. Tarpons can fill their gas bladders directly with air in order to survive in very oxygen-poor waters such as lagoons.

During the breeding period, the female releases close to 12 million eggs. The larvae are transparent and migrate to estuaries.

Powerful and combative, this fish is highly prized by sport fishermen, because it can grow to up to 2.5 m in length and 150 kg in weight.

Tropical Forest

Discover

Species encyclopedia

Consult
For a better experience of our website, we invite you to increase the size of your navigator window.