[3] The 5th edition of Fishes of the World classifies Nemipterus within the family Nemipteridae which it places in the order Spariformes.

[2] Its body has a standard length that is 3.2 to 3.6 times its depth and it has a snout that is longer than or equal to the diameter of the eye.

The dorsal fin is translucent pink with a yellow margin and bluish grey stripe just below the margin and a slender yellow stripe running from immediately above its base, The anal fin is translucent and bluish white in colour with a pale yellow stripe close to its base, bending towards the rear and running along the last anal soft ray to its tip.

[1] It is a demersal, non migratory species occurring at depths between 50 and 70 m (160 and 230 ft) over sandy or muddy substrates.

[2] Nemipterus tambuloides is commercially trawled for, albeit in a mixed catch, in Malaysia and Indonesia and is an important species in the making of surimi.