Range and Identity
Megalops cyprinoides occurs widely in the Indo-Pacific and is distinct from Atlantic Tarpon. Its distribution includes coastal waters and inland records connected to river systems. A large tarpon measurement from the Atlantic species should not be transferred to this smaller relative.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults are generally found at sea, while young often use river mouths, inner bays and mangrove areas. Freshwater rivers, lakes and swampy backwaters are also recorded. Air breathing involves regular trips to the surface, so access to air is part of the fish’s habitat use.
Food and Life History
Fishes and crustaceans are recorded prey. Spawning occurs offshore, and transparent larvae resemble larval eels before developing the juvenile form. The compiled upper references are 150 centimeters total length and eighteen kilograms, listed independently and kept separate from the much larger maxima of Atlantic Tarpon.
Field Note
Record life stage and salinity with an observation. A juvenile in a freshwater backwater can belong to a species whose reproduction takes place offshore.
All Lakes With Oxeye
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Oxeye records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.