Tarpon - a fish for sport fishing. Description of species, structure and habitat.

One of the most ancient representatives of the fauna of the ocean is tarpon - a fish with a harsh temper and truly impressive dimensions. This predator is considered almost the strongest per unit weight. It is these factors that made him a popular object of sport fishing. The genus Tarpona, belonging to the family of the same name, includes only two species, it will be discussed in the article.

General description and classification

The genus name comes from the two Greek words "eye" and "big", which fully reflects the appearance. Tarpons are large fish, preferring to stay near the shore and rarely descend to the depth. Very often, in appearance, they are compared to herring, but they are not even closely related to them. It should be noted that tarpon - a fish of impressive size, individual individuals can reach a mass of 160 kg and a body length of 2.5 m. If water contains insufficient oxygen, they are able to surface and swallow atmospheric air. This feature is often used by fishermen to track down fish.

Tarpons belong to the category of fish, which in the course of their development pass through the leptotsefal stage. The main distinguishing feature of the larva is that it does not have red blood cells in the blood, their body is absolutely transparent. Leptotsepals of tarpon fish are the smallest of all known, only 2.5-5 cm.

Atlantic tarpon

The description of tarpon of this species should begin with such epithets as huge, strong, powerful. The fish (represented in the first photo) really reaches impressive sizes - in length up to 2.5 m and weighing up to 161 kg. Life expectancy is on average 55 years.

Compressed from the sides and the elongated body is covered with large scales, about 25-30% of the length belongs to the head. The lower jaw, strongly forward, the oblique upper mouth contain small villous teeth that sit tightly together. In the middle part of the back there is a characteristic dorsal fin with a short base and a terminal long ray that reaches along the length of the tail.

The belly and sides of the fish have a silvery color, the back and the upper part of the head - with a predominance of dark green or blue hue. Color may vary depending on the habitat of the individual to brown or brass tones. Anal and dorsal fins have dark fringing.

Features of the structure

Atlantic tarpon - a fish with a characteristic and unique feature of the internal structure. Its swim bladder is connected to the esophagus by means of a duct, which facilitates the direct intake of air captured by the tarpon. This gives the fish even more strength when resisting. The walls of the swim bladder envelops the spongy alveolar tissue. A similar structure is also characteristic of the Indo-Pacific species. Thus, among all sea fish, they are the only ones that are able to breathe atmospheric air, using a swim bladder.

Habitat

As already understood from the name, this species is widely distributed in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. From Senegal to Angola, it lives along the African coast, very numerous in the Gulf of Mexico. The northern border of the habitat reaches Nova Scotia and the Cape Cod peninsula.

Indo-Pacific tarpon

The fish (photo above) with a maximum mass of about 18 kg and a body length of up to 150 cm, however, as a rule, does not exceed 50 cm. Life expectancy is average - up to 44 years. The Indo-Pacific species has a body compressed laterally and covered with a large shiny scales body with silvery sides, a white belly and a blue-green or olive-green back. Large eyes are covered with characteristic fatty eyelids. They have an outstanding jaw, a terminal mouth. Adult individuals do not have teeth. The hard bone plate, located along the lower jaw, helps to grind food.

Indo-Pacific tarpon is a fish widely distributed in the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The aboriginal population uses not only meat, but also scales for decorating and artificial pearls.

Interesting Facts

• An impressive size and a harsh appearance - this explains why the tarpon fish is so popular in amateur fishing. The largest individual was caught in March 1956 on Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, weighed 128.36 kg.
• The life span of tarpon is about half a century on average, but the oldest specimen in captivity has reached the age of 63 years.
• The unofficial nickname of tarpon is "the silver king", because of its majestic appearance and color.
• The State of Florida (USA) annually hosts the Tarpon Fishing Championship. Most of the specimens are released and only some are left as trophies. Tarpon is a fish, the dishes from which are practically not cooked, its taste and nutritional value is very low.
• Tarpon is one of the official symbols of the American state of Alabama.
• For successful fishing, a fly-fishing or spinning tackle with high-strength fishing lines in diameter 0.45 mm is used. Hooks should be sharp, since the mouth of the fish with the grinding bone plate resembles a rough emery, which is not so easy to pierce. The photo shows that the jaw of the tarpon has a special structure.

Tarpons are amazing and unique in nature and anatomical features. Large-scale inhabitants of coastal waters are interesting mainly from the point of view of sport fishing. The tremendous strength with which they resist, and the impressive endurance at times increase the trophy value of the catch.