Oxeye Tarpon illustration
Species

Oxeye Tarpon

Megalops cyprinoides
Also known as Indo-Pacific tarpon · oxeye herring · of which it is not a member
Tier 4Eating2/10light tackleQLDWANT
22 waypoints30–60 cm (max 100 cm) typical

Overview: about oxeye tarpon

Tropical Indo-Pacific tarpon found across northern Australian rivers, estuaries and billabongs. Targeted with small soft plastics, surface lures and flies in still water and slow-moving creeks. Spectacular jumps and head-shakes — almost always released; flesh is bony and poor eating.

Biology: Oxeye Tarpon size, diet & habitat

Habitat
Estuary, Freshwater, River
Typical size
30–60 cm (max 100 cm)
Weight
0.5–3 kg (max 18 kg)
Depth range
0–15 m
Diet
small fish, prawns, insects
Most active
crepuscular
Global range
Indo-Pacific tropics (Megalops cyprinoides — Oxeye tarpon, smaller than Atlantic tarpon)

How to target: Oxeye Tarpon angling strategies

Generally fished with light tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.

  • small soft plastics and stickbaits at dawn in tidal creek mouths
  • fly with small baitfish patterns on intermediate lines
  • topwater fizzers and poppers in shallow water

Safety & handling

Almost always released — bony flesh; valued as sport.

In the same waters
  • saltwater crocodiles in tropical estuaries

Conservation

IUCN: Data Deficient

Recent community catches: anglers who caught oxeye tarpon

No oxeye tarpon catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.

Where to catch: oxeye tarpon fishing spots in Australia

Northern Territory19
Queensland2
Western Australia1

More information: oxeye tarpon references & sources

Log catch