The species is known to reach a maximum size of 1 m. It is a benthopelagic predator, commonly forming small shoals where it takes a variety of fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans as prey.

Little is known of reproduction in the species, and spawning is assumed to take place in more tropical regions of its range, with juveniles known to inhabit bays and large estuaries.

Blacktip trevally are often caught using hook and line and various nets in commercial fisheries although don't make up a large part of the market.

[3] As currently accepted, the species was first scientifically described by John Whitchurch Bennett in 1830 based on the holotype specimen taken from the south coast of Sri Lanka.

[9][2] The blacktip trevally is predominantly an inshore species, frequenting clean open coastal waters as an adult, with juveniles also found in large bays and estuaries.

The caudal fin is bright to olive yellow, with the top half normally black to dark, giving the species its common name.

They appear to be migratory, with South Africa recording influxes of the species in summer,[12] while in India they arrive after the monsoons and continue their inhabitance through the cold months.

[12] Reproduction in the species is poorly understood, although observations indicate it spawns in the more tropical regions of its range,[12] with sexual maturity reached at 50 cm.

[2] The blacktip trevally is of minor importance to commercial fisheries throughout its range, taken by hook and line and various netting methods, from where it is sold fresh, salted or dried at market.

[12] The IGFA all tackle world record for the species stands at 8.20 kg (18 lb 1 oz) caught off Bazaruto Island, Mozambique in 2008.