Their eggs and fry are planktonic while the juveniles shelter in very sheltered coastal waters.[6][2][7] The adults attain a maximum age of six years old.[8] In Australia the yellowtail barracuda was found to be a host to the parasitic tapeworm Floriceps minacanthus[9] while the ectoparasitic monogenean Diplectanum cazauxi has been found on the gills of a number of barracuda species, including the yellowtail barracuda.[10] Another known ectoparasite of the yellowtail barracuda is the copepod Caligus inopinatus.[11]