The tarpons are large coastal fish prized by anglers. They grow up to 8 feet in length and sometimes weigh 200 pounds. When swimming in oxygen-poor water, tarpons can breathe air from the surface. There are two species in a single genus Megalops in the family Megalopidae, one native to the Atlantic, and the other to the Indo-Pacific oceans.
Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, a famous sport fish. Indo-Pacific tarpon, Megalops cyprinoides, a lesser-known and smaller fish.
The award-winning series Chasing Silver is considered to be the seminal project on the sport of tarpon fishing. It is now in the IGFA (International Fish and Game Association) Hall of Fame.
