The Dogtooth Tuna has two separate dorsal fins, followed by 6-7 finlets. It has a large mouth with conical teeth in both jaws. The lateral line on the rear half of the fish is wavy.

This species is brilliant blue to black above and silver below. It grows to 1.6m in length. The Dogtooth Tuna is a tropical species that is often seen cruising along coral reef dropoffs. It has a wide distribution through parts of the Indian Ocean to the Central Pacific.