Tarpon is kosher according to Jewish dietary law.

What is the scientific name of Tarpon?

The scientific name of Tarpon is Megalops atlanticus.

Does Tarpon have fins and scales?

Yes. Tarpon has both fins and removable scales, which is the requirement set in Leviticus 11:9-12 and Deuteronomy 14:9-10 for a fish to be considered kosher.

Can I eat Tarpon sushi or sashimi?

If Tarpon is prepared in a kosher kitchen with kosher utensils and ingredients, Tarpon sushi or sashimi can be kosher. Always verify the kosher certification of the restaurant or preparation source.

Where can I find more information about whether Tarpon is kosher?

KosherFish.co references the Orthodox Union (OU) and Chabad lists of kosher and non-kosher fish. For specific halachic questions, consult your local Orthodox rabbi.

Tarpon

Megalops atlanticus

Kosher

Has fins and scales

Fins Yes

Scales Yes

Description

The Atlantic tarpon is a ray-finned fish that inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and rivers. It is also known as the silver king.

The Atlantic tarpon ranges along the western Atlantic from Virginia to Brazil, through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, and along the eastern Atlantic from Senegal to Angola. It moves freely between salt, brackish, and fresh water and can gulp air, so it survives oxygen-poor marshes and rivers.

Also known as

Silver King
Sabalo
Atlantic Tarpon

Kosher Tarpon in foreign languages

Scientific	Megalops atlanticus
Hebrew	גדול-עין אטלנטי
Arabic	خنجولة الأطلسي
Spanish	Sábalo
Portuguese	Tarpão
French	Tarpon de l'Atlantique
German	Atlantischer Tarpun
Russian	Атлантический тарпон
Chinese	大西洋海鰱
Japanese	ターポン
Vietnamese	Cá cháo lớn Đại Tây Dương
Thai	ปลาแอตแลนติกทาร์ปอน

Gallery

Tarpon — Alive — Alive · q phia / CC BY 2.0

Warnings & Kosher Issues

Kosher. The tarpon has fins and large, shiny scales.
The meat is not considered good eating, so most tarpon are caught and released as a game fish.