THE TARPON 73 



of old age or becomes so decrepit that a wandering shark runs 

 it dowai. After a consideration of the size reached by other 

 species, I see no good reason why it may not attain a weight 

 of at least 300 pounds, provided it evades the sharks and finds 

 itself in an environment favorable to its greatest development. 



After a study of the rate of growth of other species, I am of 

 the opinion that a female tarpon reaches twelve or fourteen 

 inches the first year, twenty or twenty-five inches additional 

 the second year, and at least fifty or sixty inches in total 

 length the third year. But this is little better than a guess. 

 I refer to the growth of the female as the males are smaller. 



When the tarpon leaps the angler may observe it dislodge a 

 slender fish. This is the interesting remora or sucking fish 

 which has a disc upon the top of its head by which it 

 adheres to its host. The tarpon probably leaps even when free 

 of the hook in order to rid itself of this parasite. If the angler 

 will look sharp when his fish is being released he may see a 

 small remora four or five inches clinging to it. If he tries 

 to capture the remora with a hand net it will disappear in- 

 stantly, but when the tarpon is turned over the remora usually 

 will be found attached to the other flank. They change their 

 position with great rapidity. Those which 1 have observed 

 range from 4" to 14" in length. They use the host as a convey- 

 ance. A large remora was so firmly attached to its host that it 

 supported a pail of water weighing 24.25 pounds when tested 

 in the New York Aquarium. They are used by the natives in 

 the East to capture fish and turtles. A string is attached to 

 the remora 's l)ody near the tail, and the remora permitted to 

 swim till it follows its habit and attaches itself to some other 

 fish, which is then pulled in and captured. These remoras de- 

 tach themselves when the tarpon is pulled out of the water. I 

 am informed they are not found on the fish in fresh water. 



Occasionally you will find one or more sea-lice adhering to 

 the fish which are somewhat difiicult to detach. They are about 

 Vo'' in diameter and of a dull whitish hue. I sent one to the 



