Key
West Fishing Charter
Light Tackle Sport and Flats Fishing
TARPON
Common Names
The silver king is the most common pseudonym given to the tarpon by anglers,
descriptive of the bright flash that reflects from its large silver scales
when it jumps
into the air.
Geographical Distribution
Tarpon inhabit a large range on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
The range in the Eastern Atlantic extends from Senegal to the Congo.
In the Western Atlantic, the fish primarily inhabit warmer coastal waters
concentrating around the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies.
However, tarpon are not uncommon as far north as Cape Hatteras,
and the extreme range extends from Nova Scotia in the north, Bermuda
and to Argentina to the south. Tarpon have been found at the Pacific terminus
of the Panama Canal and around Coiba Island.
Habitat
Tarpon populate a wide variety of habitats, but are primarily found in coastal
waters, bays
and mangrove-lined lagoons within tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates
(45° N-30° S).
The normal habitat depth extends to 98 feet (30 m). Although a marine fish,
tarpon can tolerate
euryhaline environments (0-47 parts per thousand) and often enter river mouths
and bays and travel upstream into fresh water. In addition, tarpon can also
tolerate
oxygen-poor environments due to a modified air bladder that allows them to
inhale
atmospheric oxygen. The only variable that seems to limit their choice of habitat
is temperature, and research shows tarpon to be thermophilic.
Rapid decreases in temperature have been known to cause large tarpon kills.
During such temperature drops, tarpon usually take refuge in warmer deeper
waters.
Distinctive Features
Externally, the almost vertical, silvery sides made up of large scales are
the most
distinctive feature of the tarpon. The tarpon has a superior mouth with the
lower mandible
extending far beyond the gape. The fins contain no spines, but are all composed
of softrays.
The dorsal fin appears high anteriorly and contains 13-15 softrays with the
last ray
greatly elongated into a heavy filament. The caudal is deeply forked, and the
lobes appear
equal in length. The anterior portion of the anal fin is deep and triangular.
The fin has 22-25 softrays,with the last ray again elongated as in the dorsal
fin,
but shorter and only present in adults. The tarpon has large pelvic fins,
and long pectoral fins containing 13-14 softrays. Perhaps the most unique internal
feature
of the tarpon is the modified swim bladder. This swim bladder contains spongy
alveolar tissue
and has a duct leading to the esophagus that the tarpon may fill directly with
air gulped
from the surface. This feature allows the tarpon to take oxygen directly
from the atmosphere and increases its tolerance of oxygen-poor waters. In fact,
studies have shown that tarpon must have access to atmospheric oxygen in order
to survive,
and that juvenile tarpon are obligatory air-breathers. Adults living in oxygen-rich
waters
still roll and gulp air, probably as an imitative pattern
based on visual perception of other tarpon.
Coloration
The synonym "silver king" refers to the predominant bright silver
color along
the sides and belly of the tarpon. Dorsally, tarpon usually appear dark blue
to greenish-black.
However, the color may appear brownish or brassy for individuals inhabiting
inland waters.
The dorsal and caudal fins have dusky margins and often appear dark.
Size, Age & Growth
Female tarpon can grow to lengths of over 8.2 feet (2.5m) and reach weights
of near 355 pounds (161 kg), with the males generally smaller. Tarpon are slow-growing
fish
and do not obtain sexual maturity until reaching an age of 6-7 years and a
length
of about 4 feet (1.2 m). Tarpon weighing about 100 pounds (45.4 kg) typically
fall between 13-16 years of age. Male tarpon attain life spans of over 30 years,
while females may live longer than 50 years. A female tarpon held in captivity
at the
John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois died in 1998 at the age of 63.
Food Habits
While juvenile tarpon are planktivorous, adult tarpon are strictly carnivorous
and mostly feed on mid-water prey such as mullets, pinfish, marine catfishes,
Atlantic needlefish,
sardines, shrimp, and crabs. Tarpon feed during both day and night. Since the
tarpon have minute
teeth only, they usually swallow the prey whole.
Danger to Humans
Though tarpon usually spook easily and show extreme weariness when around humans,
they occasionally, and usually accidentally, injure humans. Most injuries occur
when anglers
try to release tarpon after a fight, whereby tarpon have reportedly killed
the angler
in its violent thrashing. To avoid this situation, one should not attempt to
boat a tarpon
that is still green (i.e., full of vigor). Let the fish thoroughly tire out
before attempting
to either gaff or bring the tarpon close for release. Occasionally a tarpon
will rush toward
and inadvertently leap into the boat. Several tarpon guides have reported having
such a fish destroy rods, electronics, and other equipment.
Conservation Status
While any angler may practice catch-and-release in pursuing tarpon, beginning
in 1989 anglers
must obtain a tarpon tag in order to possess and deliberately kill them. The
permit costs
$50 for each tarpon (limit two per day), and the anglers who purchase the tag
agree to provide
the Florida Marine Research Institute with information about the catch, including
date
and location of capture, the length and weight of the fish, and how many anglers
were fishing.
According to data obtained since this permit was instituted, the number of
tarpon killed
has steadily dropped from 342 in 1989 to 70 in 1998.
The tarpon is not currently listed as endangered or vulnerable with the
World Conservation Union (IUCN). The IUCN is a global union of states,
governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in a partnership
that assesses the conservation status of species.
Key
West Fishing Charter
with Captain Richard Houde
aboard the custom KW Charter Boat
"SOUTHBOUND"
For
reservations and availability contact Captain Rich
at (305) 747-3668 or by e-mail at fish@sportfishingkeywest.com
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
© 2005
All Rights Reserved |
|
