Tarpons

Chiefly marine; entering fresh water. Distribution: tropical and subtropical waters. Fusiform, compressed body. Mouth terminal, oblique or superior, lower jaw prominent, gular plate ventral between two branches of lower jaw. Pseudo- branchiae absent. Branchiostegal rays: 23-27. Single dorsal fin without spines; dorsal fin rays: 13-21; filamentous last dorsal ray. Pectorals very low. Anal fin rays: 22-29. Pelvic fin rays: 10-11. Conus arteriosus present. Branched tubes radiating over lateral line scales. Swim bladder lying against skull. About 2.2 m maximum length. Larval stage leptocephalic translucid.