Indo Pacific Tarpon

Lower jaw projects beyond snout; a bony gular plate present between the jaw bones; last fin ray of dorsal long and filamentous, directly over pelvic fins; pectoral fins low on side of body near ventral margin; abdominal pelvic fins with 9 or more rays; scales large. The modified swimbladder permits them to breathe air and thus survive in oxygen-poor water. Colour blue-green dorsally; silvery on sides (Ref. 10982). Can tolerate oxygen-poor water by `breathing' air into a lung-like air bladder.

Transversotrema Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Amphidromous. Refers to fishes that regularly migrate between freshwater and the sea (in both directions), but not for the purpose of breeding, as in anadromous and catadromous species. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.Characteristic elements in amphidromy are: reproduction in fresh water, passage to sea by newly hatched larvae, a period of feeding and growing at sea usually a few months long, return to fresh water of well-grown juveniles, a further period of feeding and growing in fresh water, followed by reproduction there (Ref. 82692).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16 - 21; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 23 - 31

Adults are generally found at sea, but young inhabit river mouths, inner bays, and mangrove forests. In freshwater, it occurs in rivers, lagoons, lakes, and swampy backwaters (Ref. 2847). Tolerate salinities from 0 to 100. Mainly diurnal (Ref. 7017). Predaceous, feeding mainly on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 5213). Breed offshore, possibly throughout the year. Larvae are transparent and resemble larval eels (Ref. 13337). Juveniles commonly enter freshwater (Ref. 48635). Also in Ref. 9137.

Adults are generally found at sea, but young inhabit river mouths, inner bays, and mangrove forests. In freshwater, they occur in rivers, lagoons, lakes, and swampy backwaters (Ref. 2847, 44894). Tolerate a wide pH range (5.2-9.1) (Ref. 44894) and salinities from 0 to 100. Mainly diurnal (Ref. 7017). Predaceous, feeding mainly on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 5213). Breed offshore, possibly throughout the year. Larvae are transparent and resemble larval eels (Ref. 13337), but with a forked tail (Ref. 167). Juveniles commonly enter freshwater (Ref. 44894, 48635) in clear or turbid water (Ref. 44894). Known to breath air, rising regularly to the surface to do so. Cultured in ponds, the fry being sourced from the coasts (Ref. 7050). Popular angling fish (Ref. 3969). Edible but not esteemed (Ref. 3969). Caught by gill nets, seines, and trawls, and by hook-and-line; marketed fresh and dried salted (Ref. 10982).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: low; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species