The wahoo may be distinguished from the related Atlantic king mackerel and from the Indo-Pacific Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel by a fold of skin which covers the mandible when its mouth is closed. In contrast, the mandible of the king mackerel is always visible as is also the case for the smaller Spanish mackerel and Cero mackerel. The teeth of the wahoo are similar to those of king mackerel, but shorter and more closely set together.

The barracuda is sometimes confused with mackerel and wahoo, but is easy to distinguish from the latter two species. Barracuda have prominent scales, larger, dagger-like teeth, and lack the blade-like tail characteristic of the mackerel/tuna family of fish.

In certain reefs, most notably in the Florida Keys, this beautifully colored fish is commonly spotted among divers and snorkelers. The yellow tailed snapper is also a popular and abundant game fish that makes excellent table fare. Yellowtail feed on shrimp, crabs, worms and smaller fish. They spawn in groups off the edge of reefs from spring to fall, but heavily in midsummer.

Yellowtail snapper are typically caught in 30-120 feet of water on and around reefs and other structure. The most common method of catching yellowtail snapper is with hook and line; and the use of frozen chum to attract the fish. The chum used to attract yellowtail is typically a five pound block of leftover fish parts that is ground and then frozen in to blocks. The chum is placed in to a mesh bag or metal basket that is then placed in to the water, and as the chum slowly melts, small pieces of fish will drift out and down towards the bottom, where the yellowtail typically feed. The chum attracts the fish, and keeps them near the boat for extended periods of time as well.

Light tackle is the generally accepted means of catching yellowtail snapper. Typically, the fish are relatively wary of higher-test or thicker line, and larger hooks.

Mutton snapper is a highly prized fish by saltwater anglers. It can be caught on a variety of baits, but is most commonly caught on live or frozen shrimp, whole or cut squid, minnows, and smaller bait fish (such as live or dead pinfish). Muttons have been caught on artificial baits but seem to prefer live bait above all others as a general rule. Mutton snapper can generally be found in deeper (50′ to 200′ or deeper) water, although catches (generally of juveniles and smaller fish) are not uncommon in more shallow water. Muttons are also possible to catch on the surface during night-fishing expeditions. Muttons are typically known as great fighters relative to other snapper species, and thusly, are harder to land on lighter tackle. Many muttons are often landed as a “by-product” of anglers targeting other species of snapper[disambiguation needed] or grouper.

Mutton snapper, especially adults, tend to be solitary, but can be seen in smaller schools. Mutton snapper is considered by most as excellent table fare. Like most of most of the snapper family, the meat is white, flaky and light; and is excellent prepared in a variety of ways.

These tuna do not consume as much fish in their diet as other tunas, and will eat the tiny larvae of stomatopods (king shrimp or mantis shrimp), true shrimp, and crabs, as well as small fish. They do, of course, also eat juvenile and adult fish and squid. They are a short-lived, fast-growing species; a 5 year old fish would be considered old. They reach sexual maturity at two years old, and spawn in the open sea during the summer. Blackfin tuna are a warmer-water fish, preferring water temperatures over 68°F (20°C). What they lack in size, they make up for in numbers and willingness to bite.