The Australian barracuda is greenish on the back, silvery on flanks which fades to white on the belly with a greenish-yellow tail. It has the typical fusiform shape of a barracuda, but it is slimmer than most other species of Sphyraena with a conical snout and a protruding lower jaw, the jaws are lined with fang like teeth and the upper jaw is non-protracting.
The description provides details about the physical characteristics of the Australian barracuda, including its coloration, shape, and dentition. It emphasizes the species' resemblance to other barracudas while highlighting its unique features.