This predatory fish is found in the Amazon Basin in tropical South America.

[5] The most noticeable feature of H. scomberoides is the two long fangs protruding from its lower jaw.

[7] There are reports of far larger individuals, up to 117 cm (3 ft 10 in) in total length[3] and 17.8 kg (39 lb 4 oz) in weight, based on records by IGFA,[8] but this likely involves confusion with the related H.

[4][5] H. scomberoides is overall silvery with a dark spot behind the opercle and another at the lower base of the pectoral fin.

In adults the tail is dusky on the basal half, turning paler (more transparent) towards the tip.