- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- ELOPIFORMES
- MEGALOPIDAE
-
Fish Classification
-
Class
ACTINOPTERYGII Ray-finned fishes -
Order
ELOPIFORMES Tarpons, tenpounders -
Family
MEGALOPIDAE Tarpons -
Genera
Megalops(1)
Family MEGALOPIDAE
More Info
Family Taxonomy |
The very small family of primitive bony fishes comprising a single genus Megalops, with two species, one of which occurs in Australian waters. |
Family Distribution |
Oxeye and giant herrings occur in tropical regions of the three major oceans. Although they are primarily marine fishes, they frequently enter estuaries and freshwaters. |
Family Size |
Maximum length for the family is 2.5 m, although in Australia the species rarely exceeds 1 m. Max wi=eight 18 kg. |
Family Colour |
Silvery, darker olive-green dorsally. |
Family Feeding |
Carnivores, feeding on smaller fishes and crustaceans. |
Family Reproduction |
The sexes are separate, fertilisation is external. The pelagic eggs are spawned at sea and the transparent leptocephalus larvae have slender leaf-like bodies and forked tails. After metamorphosis, the juveniles spend time in estuarine nursery areas and commonly enter freshwater. |
Family Commercial |
Although tarpons are popular and very active sportfishes, the flesh is poor and full of bones. |
Family Conservation |
IUCN: Not evaluated. |
Family Remarks |
Tarpons can tolerate a wide pH and salinity range. They are also able to withstand poorly oxygenated water by gulping air at the surface. |
Author |
Dianne J. Bray |
References
Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. 2002. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 394 pp. [333] (Tarpons)
Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.
Paxton, J.R., Gates, J.E., Bray, D.J. & Hoese, D.F. 2006. Megalopidae. pp. 223-224 in Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3 2178 pp.
Smith, D.G. 1999. Families Elopidae, Megalopidae. pp. 1619-1622 in Carpenter, K.E. & Niem, V.H. (eds). The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. FAO Species Identification Guide for Fisheries Purposes. Rome : FAO Vol. 3 1397-2068 pp. [1621]