Indo-Pacific Tarpon

Megalops cyprinoides

Habitat & Distribution : Coastal waters, estuaries, inland waters (lakes and rivers), Indo-Pacific region

Diet: Small fish, crustaceans and sometimes algae

Size: Up to 50 cm; 18 kg

Lifespan: Up to 44 years

Description

The Indo-Pacific Tarpon has a mostly silvery body on its sides while its dorsal side is olive green. It has a big, upturned mouth and a bony plate on its lower jaw. Its body is fusiform, and its scales are big, containing tiny reflective crystals that makes them shimmer under the light, potentially blindsiding predators. 

Behavior

The Indo Pacific Tarpon is an amphidromous fish, meaning that it is both a saltwater and freshwater fish; very tolerant of a wide range of pH and salinity. Mature fish often reside in coastal waters, while juveniles prefer to shelter in rivermouths, inner bays and mangrove forests. Diurnal, this fish is mostly active during the day. It is predacious, preying on fish and crustaceans.. 

Reproduction

Spawning mostly occurs offshore, twice in  a year. The resulting larvae are transparent and eel-like, though with forked tails. The larvae will drift towards inland waters where they will spend most of their youth. Metamorphosis from larvae to juvenile form takes about ten days, and they reach maturity at two years old.

Communication & Perception

Relies on vision to navigate and find prey. At adulthood, is able to detect ultraviolet light, and is thought to use UV reflections on its body to communicate and detect presence of prey.

Predator(s)

Larger predator fish, sea birds, etc

Conservation Status: Data Deficient