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Is Tarpon kosher?

Yes — Tarpon is kosher under Jewish dietary law.

Tarpon has fins and scales, which are the two requirements for kosher fish under Jewish dietary law (Leviticus 11:9-12).

Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)

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Scientific name
Megalops atlanticus
Also known as
Silver King, Sabalo, Atlantic Tarpon
Habitat
Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, coastal and estuarine waters
Kosher status
Kosher

About Tarpon

Tarpon (Megalops atlantica) The Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a ray-finned fish that inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and rivers. It is also known as the silver king. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean, typically in tropical and subtropical regions, though it has been reported as far north as Nova Scotia and the Atlantic coast of southern France, and as far south as Argentina. As with all elopiformes, it spawns at sea. Its diet includes small fish and crustaceans. The tarpon has a reputation for great aerobatics, attaining astonishing size, and having impressive armored scales. It is generally considered to be of poor food quality, but it is highly valued as a game fish by recreational fishermen. The Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a ray-finned fish that inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and rivers. It is also known as the silver king. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean, typically in tropical and subtropical regions, though it has been reported as far north as Nova Scotia and the Atlantic coast of southern France, and as far south as Argentina. As with all elopiformes, it spawns at sea. Its diet includes small fish and crustaceans. The tarpon has a reputation for great aerobatics, attaining astonishing size, and having impressive armored scales. It is generally considered to be of poor food quality, but it is highly valued as a game fish by recreational fishermen. Description Atlantic tarpon evolved approximately 18 million years ago and are one of the oldest living fish. It has been recorded at up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) in length and weighing up to 161 kg (355 lb). Males rarely weigh more than 100 pounds. A tarpon is capable of filling its swim bladder with air, like a primitive lung. This gives it a predatory advantage when oxygen levels in the water are low. In appearance, it is greenish or bluish on top and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned...

Source: kosherfish.co/kosher-fish-list (snapshot 2025-12-19); legacy csv; Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0); Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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