Country Species Summary

Megalops atlanticus Valenciennes, 1847
Family:	Megalopidae (Tarpons)	picture (Meatl_u8.jpg) by Furlan, B.
Order:	Elopiformes (tarpons and tenpounders)
Class:	Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name:	Tarpon
Max. size:	250 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 2683); max. published weight: 161.0 kg (Ref. 26340); max. reported age: 55 years
Environment:	reef-associated; amphidromous ; depth range 0 - 30 m
Climate:	subtropical; 49°N - 44°S
Global Importance:	fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience:	Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.07-0.10; tmax=55; Fec>1 million)
Distribution:	Eastern Atlantic: Senegal to Angola, with exceptional occurrences in Portugal, Azores and Atlantic coast of southern France. Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA to Bahia, Brazil, with occasional occurrences off the American coast northward to Nova Scotia, Canada and southward to Cananéia, Brazil and Argentina. Throughout Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean (Ref. 26938). Eastern Central Pacific: Cobia Island in Panama via the Panama Canal.
Diagnosis:	Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 22-25. Dorsal fin with short base at midlength of body. Anal fin with longer base, origin of posterior end at the level of the dorsal fin. Pectorals origin very low. Scales of the lateral line with ramified tubes. Blue gray back, shiny silvery sides. Swim bladder attached to esophagus and can be filled directly with air; this feature enables this species to live in oxygen-poor (brackish) waters. Large scales, 37-42 in lateral line (Ref. 26938). Last ray extended as heavy filament (Ref. 26938).
Biology:	Inhabit coastal waters, bays, estuaries, mangrove-lined lagoons, and rivers (Ref. 3789, 27188). Often found in river mouths and bays, entering fresh water (Ref. 27227). Large schools may frequent particular spots for years (Ref. 9710). Feed on fishes like sardines, anchovies, Mugilidae, Centropomus, Cichlidae (mainly those forming schools) and crabs (Ref. 3789, 27188). The swim bladder, attached to the esophagus, can be filled directly with air and permits the fish to live in oxygen-poor waters. Has high fecundity, a 203 cm female is estimated to produce over 12 million eggs (Ref. 10863). Spawn in waters which can be temporarily isolated from the open sea (Ref. 27188). Famous for its spectacular leaps when hooked. Marketed fresh or salted (Ref. 3789). Large scales are used in ornamental work and in preparation of artificial pearls (Ref. 3789). Used to be cultured commercially in Colombia (Ref. 7306). Highly appreciated by sport fishers. The flesh is also highly appreciated despite its being bony (Ref. 27188). The world record for hook and line is 283 lbs. from Lake Maricaibo, Venezuela (Ref. 13442)
Threatened:	Not Evaluated, see IUCN Red List , (Ref. 36508)
Dangerous:	reports of ciguatera poisoning , Halstead, B.W.. 1970
Coordinator:
Main Ref:	Hureau, J.-C.. 1984. (Ref. 3234)
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Haiti country information
Common names:	Grand-écaille	Ref: Zaneveld, J.S., 1983
Status:	native	Ref:
Salinity:	freshwater, brackish, marine
Uses:	no uses
Country Information:	www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ha.html
Occurrences:	Occurrences Point map
Main Ref:	Whitehead, P.J.P. and R. Vergara R., 1978
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Modified: Froese, Rainer

Entered: Agustin, Liza Q.

CGNET - US

Page created by: Eli, 20.10.03, last modified by Eli, 26.06.07

	Ref.:		Glossary
		(e.g. 9948)		(e.g. cephalopods)
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