Commonly known as
Tarpons, these creatures are also nicknamed Silver Kings. Fossil
records have proven that Tarpons have been around since prehistoric times and
they can live for over 50 years. They are found in the Atlantic
Ocean in freshwater lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, open ocean, and coral
reefs but can only be fished in Florida. Tarpons can grow up to 8
feet long and weigh almost 300 pounds, making them an excellent game or trophy
fish but their meat is not desirable because of all of their bones.
With large scales
covering their silver body and a dark green dorsal side, their defining
characteristic is the dramatically upturned mouth. One feature that is unique to these creatures
is they can breathe air. An altered swim
bladder allows the fish to breath directly from the surface because it has a
duct connecting the bladder to the esophagus.
This is lined with alveoli tissues (similar to what is found in our
lungs) that absorb all of the oxygen to help replenish the lack of oxygen found
in the waters they live in.
Their carnivorous diet
consists of various fish as well as shrimp and crabs but since they have very
small teeth, their main consumption method is swallowing prey whole. Tarpons fall prey to sharks and even alligators. Humans tend to not eat them because it is a
great effort to clean the fish meat from all of their bones. Instead humans view tarpons as prime game and
trophy fish; they are fished recreationally and there are many rules and
guidelines in place. Any tarpons over 40
inches cannot be removed from the water, they are only meant to be catch and
release but one fish per fisherman can be taken home to be turned into a trophy
or food. The fish must be tired out
before brought near the boat, hooks must be removed, and the fish must be
revived before being released.
Visit Robbie’s in
Islamorada, Florida to feed tarpon off the docks. Nearly 100 fish circle the docks waiting for their
next meal, whether its fish or your fingers!
Extremely interesting post! I was wondering if they can be eaten for food and if they’re caught intentionally by fishermen. I like how you reference Robbie’s in Islamorada for feeding the Tarpon.
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