Indo-Pacific tarpon
| Indo-Pacific tarpon | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Elopiformes |
| Family: | Megalopidae |
| Genus: | Megalops |
| Species: | Megalops cyprinoides |
| Binomial name | |
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Megalops cyprinoides (Broussonet, 1782) |
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The Indo-Pacific tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides, also known as the oxeye herring or simply herring, is a relatively medium-sized species of tarpon.
In appearance, it is like the Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus: olive-green on top, and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned upwards; the lower jaw contains an elongated, bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin is much longer than the others, reaching nearly to the tail. It is capable of filling its swim bladder with air and absorbing oxygen from it. Species in fresh water tend to be smaller than the saltwater species, growing just over 50 cm (20 in), while saltwater species grow over a 1 m (3.3 ft). They live an upwards of 44 years and mature within two. They complete their metamorphosis from their larvae stage in 10 days.
They are an opportunistic feeder, feeding on smaller fish, crustaceans, and even plants rarely. In saltwater, they mainly feed on prawns and herring, but also many other small fish. In fresh water, no significant difference in their food habits is seen; they eat freshwater prawns and bony bream, mainly.
The Indo-Pacific tarpon migrates between the open sea and inland rivers. As with all Elopiformes, it spawns, mainly offshore. Juveniles of the species stay inshore and migrate to coastal areas while maturing to spawn. Typically, they spawn twice a year. At sea, the larvae migrate inland and are (flattened, transparent and eel-like). Unlike the barramundi, they are able to breed in fresh and salt water.
They are found in depths to 50 m (160 ft), but are commonly found by the surface in shallow inshore waters. They inhabit coral reefs, mangroves, swamps, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, floodplains, and canals. In Papua New Guinea, they are reportedly found under large mats of Salvinia molesta.
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Wikipedia