Atlantic tarpon
Megalops atlanticus
Sighting evidence at Tarpon Cave, Corn Islands
Photo: Rachel Andres-Beck · CC BY-NC
Tarpon are one of the ocean's great ancient lineages, with a fossil record stretching back 100 million years. They breathe air directly using a modified swim bladder — an adaptation that allows them to survive in low-oxygen environments like the cavern interior. Schools of 20 to 50 individuals shelter here during daylight, erupting in a chaos of silver when a diver's torch sweeps through them. Tarpon are largely bycatch-free in Nicaragua and remain abundant here.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Atlantic tarpon is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.