[3] Howella atlantica is a small, fish with large eyes and robust spines in its first dorsal fin.

It is generally dark in colour, with black scales, possibly with a greenish sheen, that have a spinous anterior margin.

The head is unscaled, and is covered in skin that is dark with a metallic blue hint under illumination.

There is a thick corneal spectacle visible in fresh specimens as a gelatinous layer that somewhat obscures the pupil.

Below the retina there is a reflective tapetum lucidum composed of white lipid spheres, similar to the tapeta found in weakfishes and cusk-eels.