They have a protracted mouth pointing upward and the tip of the maxilla reaches well below the level of the lower margin of the eye.

[2] This species is known to feed on phytoplankton, polychaeta (bristle worms), Noctiluca (sea sparkle), and Coscinodiscus.

[citation needed] It is sold for human consumption in markets across Asia, commonly used in the "fried ponyfish" dish.

[2] Barred ponyfish are a delicacy in many parts of Asia such as Pakistan, China, most prevalently consumed throughout the Philippines, most commonly cooked whole, marinated in sauce and fried in oil.

Barred ponyfish are thought to migrate to estuaries with brackish water for purposes such as breeding and/ or feeding, and they can be caught using 'Tamban Rigs' as they are often called by local Singaporean fishermen, which consists of a long 1 metre main line with several small hooks attached to it, anchored by a lead sinker, commonly caught from a bridge or jetty.