Tarpons have a robust fusiform body that tapers to a powerful forked tail. Its body is laterally compressed. Tarpons may appear silver-blue/green on the back, which fades to a bright silver on the sides and belly. They have large prominent scales. Tarpons have a large upward-oriented (superior) mouth with a protruding lower jaw. Their mouths extend under and past the eye. They have a single dorsal fin with the last dorsal fin ray thin and elongated.