Ladyfishes and Tarpons: Elopiformes

Tarpons and ladyfishes are predators (PREH-duh-ters), or animals that hunt and kill other animals for food, that feed mainly in open water at middle depths. Both have small, sandpaper-like teeth, and they swallow their catches whole. Tarpons and ladyfishes often live in large schools.

These fishes spawn, or produce and release eggs, offshore in salty ocean water. They produce large numbers of eggs that float on the surface. The eggs hatch into larvae (LAR-vee), or fishes in the early stage of development before they become adults, that have long, clear bodies and fanglike teeth. Larvae of tarpons and ladyfishes reach a length of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.0 centimeters) before they undergo metamorphosis (meh-tuh-MOR-pho-sus), or change form to become adults. Metamorphosis occurs as the larvae enter coastal waters.