Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet, 1782)

Indo-Pacific tarpon

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Elopiformes \| Megalopidae
Synonyms	Clupea cyprinoides, Elops cyprinoides, Brisbania staigeri, ... more
Common names	Tarpon Indo-Pacifique, Tarpón del Indo-Pacífico, Oxeye tarpon, ... more

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Image of Megalops cyprinoides (Indo-Pacific tarpon)

Picture by Randall, J.E.

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This map was computer-generated and has not yet been reviewed.

AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Whitehead, P.J.P. 1984. (Ref. 3463)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 150 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 1479); common length : 30.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 7017); common length :45.5 cm SL (female); max. published weight: 18.0 kg (Ref. 13337); max. reported age: 44 years (Ref. 72487)

Environment

Benthopelagic; amphidromous; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 50 - ? m (Ref. 2847)

Climate / Range

Tropical; 22°C - 24°C (Ref. 2060); 34°N - 28°S, 16°E - 130°W

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and Natal, South Africa (Ref. 3969) to the Society Islands, north to southern Korea, south to the Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819) and New South Wales. Restricted to high islands (Palau, Caroline and Mariana islands) in Micronesia. Reported as far inland as the lower Shire in Malawi and the Save-Runde junction in Zimbabwe (Ref. 7248). Widespread in the Lower Zambezi River channels up to Marromeu and in the Micelo River up to Malingapanzi (Ref. 39494). South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and East China Sea(Ref.33302).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 21; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 23 - 31. Lower jaw projects beyond snout; a bony gular plate present between the jaw bones. Last fin ray of dorsal long and filamentous; ventrally located pectoral fins; abdominal pelvic fins with 9 or more rays. Branchiostegals more than 23. Scales large. Color blue-green dorsally; silvery on sides. Can tolerate oxygen-poor water by `breathing' air into a lung-like air bladder. Also Ref. 3969.

Adults are generally found at sea, but young inhabit river mouths, inner bays, and mangrove forests. In freshwater, they occur in rivers, lagoons, lakes, and swampy backwaters (Ref. 2847, 44894). Tolerate a wide pH range (5.2-9.1) (Ref. 44894) and salinities from 0 to 100. Mainly diurnal (Ref. 7017). Predaceous, feeding mainly on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 5213). Breed offshore, possibly throughout the year. Larvae are transparent and resemble larval eels (Ref. 13337), but with a forked tail (Ref. 167). Juveniles commonly enter freshwater (Ref. 44894, 48635) in clear or turbid water (Ref. 44894). Known to breath air, rising regularly to the surface to do so. Cultured in ponds, the fry being sourced from the coasts (Ref. 7050). Popular angling fish (Ref. 3969). Edible but not esteemed (Ref. 3969).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Harmless

Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

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Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm<=4)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
High to very high vulnerability (67 of 100)	Low

Entered by Luna, Susan M.

Modified by Capuli, Estelita Emily

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