Coral polyps, mollusks, crustaceans, crabs and sea urchins, which they crush with strong beaks. Young resemble adults somewhat. Snappers typically have a notched tail with a triangular-shaped head. They are named for their characteristic snap which occurs once they are taken off a line or hook. They have well developed teeth and are capable of inflicting injury on uninformed fishermen.
Most snappers have large eyes and a broken color pattern.
Tarpon are silvery in coloration. They have a deep body with an upturned mouth for feeding above them. A female tarpon of typical size may have 12 million eggs, which drift in ocean currents far from shore. Hatchlings are larval, almost transparent and look more like a clear strip of ribbon than a fish. The young head to shallow water.