The Giant Trevally can be recognised by its steep head profile, strong scutes on the straight, posterior portion of the lateral line and its large size. It is the largest species of trevally in Australian waters, growing to 1.7m in length.

Its colouration varies from uniform silvery to almost black. It can sometimes be a dusky golden colour and have dark irregular bands on the back, but never has a dark spot on the rear of the operculum.

This species is usually seen cruising along reef dropoffs in tropical marine waters. It occurs throughout the Indo Pacific.

In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the New South Wales central coast.