[3] The mottled fusilier was first formally described in 1830 as Smaris balteatus by the French zoologist Achille Valenciennes with the type locality being given as Sri Lanka.

Bleeker's species was later shown to be a synonym of Smaris balteatus but the genus is considered to be valid.

The specific name balteatus means "belted" or "banded", a reference to the stripe on the upper flanks.

[6] The mottled fusilier has a slender, fusiform body which is elongate and shows moderate lateral compression.

[1] In Australian waters it is distributed from north of Port Hedland in Western Australia extending north around the tropical coast to the east coast where it reaches as far south as Hat Head in New South Wales and off the reefs of the Coral Sea.

[7] The mottled fusilier forms mixed species schools with other pelagic fish such as sardines and anchovies.