The Yellowtail scad is a streamlined, silvery, schooling fish related to the trevallies (jacks). It is identifiable by its silver colour, with a yellow tail and a large black spot over the gills. It is common under jetties, particularly in deeper waters. Superficially, it resembles the much larger Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi), although it lacks the counter-shading of that species. It can also be confused with the Australian Herring / Tommy Ruff, but can be distinguished by the large gill spot, as well as the yellow tail and absence of spotting on the body.