The yellowtail scad is the only member of the monotypic genus Atule and is distinguished from similar species by a well-developed adipose eyelid and finlet-like extensions of the last rays of the dorsal and anal fins.

The yellowtail scad is the only member of the monotypic genus Atule, one of 30 genera in the jack and horse mackerel family Carangidae.

[2] The yellowtail scad was first scientifically described by the French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1833 based on a specimen taken from the Seychelles, which was designated to be the holotype.

The lateral line is slightly arched anteriorally, with the intersection of the curved and straight section occurring below the sixth to eighth dorsal soft ray.

[7] Another of the major distinguishing features of the species is an adipose eyelid which fully encloses the eye except for a small vertical slit over the pupil.

Nine to 16 faint grey bars run vertically on the sides of the fish, as well as a black spot slightly smaller than the eye on the upper margin of operculum and adjacent shoulder region.

[10] In the Pacific, the species is most prevalent in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Philippines, extending southward to northern Australia, north to Japan, where only three specimens have been recorded,[11] and as far east as Hawaii.

[10] The species is predominantly coastal, schooling in inshore waters to a depth of 80 m, often in large embayments with mangroves[12] or over coral reefs.

[13] Like a number of carangids, juvenile yellowtail scad are known to congregate around floating objects, including jellyfish medusae, as well as manmade structures.

[16] In Hawaii, the species has been observed to spawn in open areas of bays at least 10 m deep mostly between March and October, but there is significant yearly differences in the length of the season.

In parts of South East Asia, the yellowtail scad is a highly valued seafood prepared by boiling, steaming and frying.