It’s Friday, so it must be time for another Friday Fish Fact! #fff is your guide to all reef life.
We were having dinner with a friend new to Fort Lauderdale last night at 15th Street Fisheries, and I was able to show one of my favorite attractions for land lubbers in the city. I bought some frozen shrimp from the marina, leaned over the railing and tossed a few into the water, when suddenly—whoosh!—a massive silver flash broke the surface. Then another. And another. Beneath that dock, dozens of hulking fish, some longer than six feet, glided like ghosts through the glow. These were tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), to be precise—and they were putting on a show.
The Silver Kings of the Sea
Tarpon are often called “silver kings,” and once you see one up close, you’ll understand why. Their scales glint like polished coins, their eyes are large and ancient-looking, and their bodies are built like torpedoes. With their large size and prominent dorsal fin, some neophytes even mistake them for sharks. But what really sets them apart is their behavior. They roll at the surface to gulp air, leap like acrobats when hooked, and gather in places that make them surprisingly easy to observe—no boat required.
A Life That Begins Offshore
The tarpon life cycle is a marvel of adaptation. It all starts far offshore—over 100 miles out to sea—where adult tarpon gather in the spring and summer to spawn. They release their eggs into the open ocean, where fertilization happens in the water column. The resulting larvae, called leptocephali, look more like transparent ribbons than fish. These tiny creatures drift with the currents for about a month before making their way into coastal estuaries.
Once they reach the safety of mangroves, creeks, and backwater lagoons, the larvae transform into juvenile tarpon. These young fish are uniquely equipped to survive in low-oxygen environments thanks to a modified swim bladder that allows them to breathe air. This gives them access to habitats that predators can’t tolerate—stagnant ponds, mosquito ditches, and brackish marshes. As they grow, they move into larger estuaries and eventually the open ocean, completing a journey that spans both geography and physiology.
Where to Spot Them Without Getting Wet
One of the coolest things about tarpon is how accessible they are. You don’t need a boat or scuba gear to see them—just a good pair of polarized sunglasses and a little patience.
- 15th Street Fisheries, of course, is a classic. The dockside restaurant even sells fish food so you can feed the tarpon while you wait for your table.
- Islamorada’s Robbie’s Marina in the Florida Keys is another hotspot, where tarpon gather in droves beneath the docks.
- Boca Grande Pass on Florida’s Gulf Coast is famous for its spring tarpon migration, and you can often see them rolling from the beach or pier.
- Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon on the Atlantic side are also prime viewing areas, especially during the warmer months.
Underwater Encounters
For scuba divers, tarpon are a treat. They’re often seen cruising through shipwrecks, coral reefs, and blue holes in places like the Broward County, the Keys, and the Bahamas. Their reflective scales make them easy to spot even in low light, and their calm demeanor means they’ll often swim right past you, unbothered by your bubbles.
What’s on the Menu?
Tarpon are opportunistic feeders. As juveniles, they munch on zooplankton, insects, and tiny crustaceans. As they grow, their diet shifts to include larger prey like mullet, sardines, menhaden, shrimp, and crabs. They’re ambush predators, using their speed and suction-like mouths to inhale prey in a flash. You’ll often see them “rolling” at the surface, a behavior that helps them gulp air and may also play a role in hunting.
How Big Do They Get?
Big. Really big. Adult tarpon commonly reach lengths of 5 to 6 feet and can weigh over 200 pounds. The largest recorded tarpon tipped the scales at a whopping 350 pounds. Despite their size, they’re agile and explosive, capable of launching themselves six feet into the air when hooked.
Can You Eat Them?
Technically, yes—but most people don’t. Tarpon are bony, with a strong fishy flavor and a texture that’s more work than reward. Their meat is riddled with small bones, and the oily skin doesn’t help matters. While some cultures in Central and South America do eat tarpon, in the U.S. they’re almost exclusively catch-and-release.
That said, if you’re determined, tarpon can be made into fish cakes or ceviche, but you’ll need patience and a strong marinade to tame the flavor. Most anglers agree: tarpon are better admired than eaten.
Scales with a Story
Now here’s a quirky detail—tarpon scales have historically been used for more than just shimmering underwater. In the early 20th century, their large, coin-sized scales were dried, polished, and turned into jewelry, buttons, and even decorative inlays. Some anglers still keep a scale or two as a memento of a memorable catch. They’re surprisingly tough and can be etched or painted like miniature canvases.
A Fish Worth Protecting
Tarpon are more than just a thrill for anglers or a spectacle for tourists—they’re a vital part of coastal ecosystems. Their presence in estuaries helps control baitfish populations, and their migratory patterns connect habitats across hundreds of miles. Conservation efforts, including catch-and-release regulations and habitat protection, are crucial to ensuring that future generations can experience the magic of seeing a silver king glide beneath the docks.
Some content created with generative AI and edited. Image courtesy of Christopher Duncan, (c) Copyright 2025 CDA Underwater Photography. All rights reserved worldwide.