Species FAO code: TAR

Megalops atlanticus

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Commercial designations
Production methods and fishing gears
Species distribution and habitat
Species description

Commercial designations

Country	Commercial designations	Names accepted or permitted locally or regionally
Austria	de Frauenfisch de Frauenfisch [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus] de Tarpon de Tarpon [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus]	–
Denmark	da Tarpon da atlantisk tarpon	–
France	fr tarpon argenté [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus] fr tarpon [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus] fr tarpon argenté fr tarpon	–
Germany	de Frauenfisch [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus] de Tarpon [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus]	–
Luxembourg	de Frauenfisch [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus] de Tarpon [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus] fr tarpon argenté [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus] fr tarpon [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus]	–
Netherlands	nl Atlantische tarpoen [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus]	–
Slovenia	sl atlantski tarpon sl atlantski tarpon [Tarpon atlanticus synonym for Megalops atlanticus]	–
Spain	es Tarpón	–

Main production methods

Caught
Farmed

Main fishing gears

Source: Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. FishBase. Megalops atlanticus Valenciennes, 1847

Habitat

Saltwater
Freshwater
Brackish water

FAO major fishing areas

Source: Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. FishBase. Megalops atlanticus Valenciennes, 1847

Scientific name

Megalops atlanticus

Author

Valenciennes, 1847

Rank

Species

FAO code

TAR

Morphological description

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).

Taxonomic classification

ClassActinopterygii
- OrderElopiformes
  - FamilyMegalopidae
    - GenusMegalops
      - SpeciesMegalops atlanticus

Synonyms

Megalops elongatus Girard, 1859
Tarpon atlanticus (Valenciennes, 1847)
Megalops atlantica Valenciennes, 1847

Source: Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. FishBase. Megalops atlanticus Valenciennes, 1847

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Megalops atlanticus

Commercial designations

Main production methods

Main fishing gears

Gillnets and similar nets

Hooks and lines

Seines

Habitat

FAO major fishing areas

Area 1 - Africa - Inland waters

Area 2 - America, North - Inland waters

Area 21 - Atlantic, Northwest

Area 27 - Atlantic, Northeast

Area 3 - America, South - Inland waters

Area 31 - Atlantic, Western Central

Area 34 - Atlantic, Eastern Central

Area 41 - Atlantic, Southwest

Area 77 - Pacific, Eastern Central