This species with is distinguished by the following characters: body elongate, circular in cross-section; D 21-24 with anterior rays forming a relatively high lobe, 5.4-10.6 body length (excluding the head and caudal fin); dorsal fin origin about equal with or slightly in front to anal fin origin; A 19-22 with anterior rays forming a relatively high lobe, in 5.5-8.0 in BL; pectoral-fin rays 13 to 15 (usually 14 or 15); 270-340 predorsal scales; 75-80 vertebrae; jaws extremely long, forming a stout beak armed with very sharp teeth; no gill rakers absent; caudal fin deeply emarginate, the lower lobe much longer than the upper one and the caudal peduncle with a distinct, black lateral keel; body colour dark bluish green above, silvery below; juveniles (to 20 cm body length) with elevated black lobe in posterior part of dorsal fin which is lost with growth; scales and bones green (Ref. 9682, 90102).

Description: Relatively stout, cylindrical body and a shorter head as compared to other needle fishes. Jaw teeth point anteriorly in juveniles (to 40 cm BL) but are straight at all sizes in other species of Tylosurus (Ref. 9682). Anterior rays of dorsal and anal fins forming relatively high lobes that are comprised from 5.4-10.6 and from 5.5-8.0 times, respectively, in body length (Ref. 57228, 90102). Dorsal fin origin about equal with or slightly anterior to origin of anal fin (Ref. 90102). Lower lobe of caudal fin longer than upper (Ref. 57228). 240-290 (Ref. 57228) or 270-340 (Ref. 90102) predorsal scales. Both left and right gonads present, but right one longer than left (Ref. 57228).

Coloration: back-bluish green, belly silvery; dark blue band along sides; scales and bones green (Ref. 57228). In young individuals (to 20 cm BL), dorsal fin has elevated black posterior lobe which disappears in adults (Ref. 9682, 57228).