Megalopidae

views updated May 14 2018

Megalopidae (tarpon; subclass Actinopterygii, order Elopiformes) A small family of marine fish that have a streamlined body and silvery scales. The mouth is in a slightly oblique position with the lower jaw protruding. All the fins are softrayed. The dorsal fin is located midway along the back, and the last ray is extended into a long, filamentous tip. The forked tail fin is indicative of a strong swimmer. There are two species, found in tropical and subtropical oceans.

tarpon

views updated Jun 08 2018

tar·pon / ˈtärpən/ • n. a large tropical marine fish (family Megalopidae) of herringlike appearance. Two species: Tarpon atlanticus, a prized Atlantic game fish, and Megalops cyprinoides of the Indo-Pacific.

tarpon

views updated May 17 2018

tarpon Tropical, marine game fish. Blue and bright silver, it has a long, forked tail. Length: to 1.8m (6ft); weight: to 150kg (300lb). Species include the small Pacific Megalops cyprinoides and the large Atlantic M. atlanticus. Family Elopidae.

tarpon

views updated May 23 2018

tarpon See MEGALOPIDAE.

tarpon

views updated May 29 2018

tarpon large game-fish. XVII. — Du. tarpoen, of unkn. orig.

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