MASTERS OF THE WATER-BONY FISHES 181 



be a transition from the isospondylous type to the acanthopterygian type 

 (killifish, flying fish, sea horse, etc.)- 

 5. Acanthopterygi, fishes which have the ventral fins up under the pectorals or 

 chin, the pectorals high on the sides, the body compact, and spines in 

 the fins (perches, mackerels, flatfishes, etc.)- 



The evolution of the bony fishes is not at all clear. As in sharks and rays, 

 silhouette, placement and form of the fins, and habits are important in 

 identifying them. 



Herringlike Fishes: Order Isospondyli 



The fin rays are all soft and the pelvic (ventral) fins are placed far back 

 on the belly. The pectoral fins are placed low on the body and the tail fin is 

 forked except for a few species in which it is square (Salmonidae). All the rest 

 of the bony fishes probably descended from members of this order. In spite of 

 their relative primitiveness, members of this group are vastly important. The 

 tarpons, bonefishes, salmons, and trouts are among the gamest, if not the gamest, 

 of all game fishes and without them, fishing, the world's most popular sport by 

 far, might not be as popular as it is. The herrings, sardines, menhaden, and a 

 host of others are vitally important for both the economy of the sea and the 

 economy of man. 



TARPONS: Family Megalopidae 



These brilliant silver fish are among the largest of this suborder. Anyone who 

 has seen one under water has experienced one of the greatest thrills of under- 

 water swimming. The huge scales, large enough to be used as jewelry and 

 ornaments, seem to catch and reflect every possible gHnt of hght as the powerful 

 tail propels the fish silently and swiftly through the water. The undershot jaw, 

 the large size, and the shape of the dorsal fin serve to identify the single species. 



TARPON (grande ecaille, sabalo, SILVER king) : Tarpon atlanticus 



Size: Up to 8 feet. Averages 5 feet. 

 Weight: Up to 350 pounds. Averages 50 pounds. 



Distribution: Cape Cod to Brazil. Chiefly in the Caribbean, off Florida, and 

 in the Culf of Mexico. 



Identification: Same as for the family. 



Fig. 85. Tarpon. 



