Order Elopiformes Ray-finned fishes

 Family Elopidae Ladyfish

 Coastal fish that live in tropic and subtropic regions  Eat crustaceans (shrimp)  Max length of 3.3 ft and max weight of 22 lbs  Have an enlongated body that is somewhat compressed Basic Info

 Distinguishing characteristic is a bony plate in the throat called a gular plate  Have leptocephallic larvae which are highly compressed, ribbon-like, and transparent  Larvae shrink after their initial growth then metamorphise into the adult form

 They are fished but often used as bait or ground into fish meal because they are too bony to be considered a good food fish  Name comes from Greek ellops which is a kind of serpent Fun Facts

 Family Megalopidae Tarpon

 Can live in marine or freshwater, generally in the Atlantic ocean  4-8 ft long, lbs  Bluish/greenish backs with shiny, silver scales  Eat small fish and crustaceans (shrimps, crabs)  They hunt nocturnally  Predators are sharks and porpoises in the ocean Basic Info

 Distinguishing characteristic is gular plate but the tarpon has an enlongated dorsal ray unlike the ladyfish  Lay eggs and have leptocephallic larvae  Breed offshore in warm, isolated areas  Has a swim bladder which allows it breath atmospheric oxygen and live in waters of varying salinity and pH

 Very popular sport fish because they jump out of the water when hooked and provide a great challenge to anglers  Generally released after they are caught because they are very bony Fun Facts