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Zooplankton and small fishes prey on tarpon in the egg and larval stages, and piscivorous birds are primary predators of juvenile tarpon once they enter nursery areas. Sharks, e.g. bull and hammerhead, are the main predators of adult tarpon, but porpoises and alligator also prey on the fish.

Though tarpon usually spook easily and show extreme weariness when around humans, they occasionally, and usually accidentally, injure humans. Most injuries occur when anglers try to release tarpon after a fight, whereby tarpon have reportedly killed the angler in its violent thrashing. To avoid this situation, one should not attempt to boat a tarpon that is still green (i.e., full of vigor). Let the fish thoroughly tire out before attempting to either gaff or bring the tarpon close for release. Occasionally a tarpon will rush toward and inadvertently leap into the boat. Several tarpon guides have reported having such a fish destroy rods, electronics, and other equipment.

Tarpon have a distinctive dorsal fin ray that extends into a long filament, a large upward pointing mouth and very large scales

Tarpon can gulp air and remove oxygen by means of lung-like tissue near their swim bladder. This "rolling" effect is one way to spot tarpon. Anglers catch tarpon that weigh 40 to 150 pounds on average. Tarpon do not mature until 7 to 13 years of age.