Terapon theraps is a medium sized species of grunter which has an oblong body which shows moderate lateral compression.

The teeth are conical in shape and are arranged in villiform bands with the outermost row greatly enlarged.

The dorsal fin has 11 o 12 spines and 9 to 11 soft rays, the spiny part is notably arched and has a deep notch.

[7] The juveniles frequently hide below floating algae and flotsam, particularly mats of Sargassum, and this can lead to wide dispersal.

[2] Terapon theraps is targeted by inshore fisheries using a wide variety of gear such as traps, handlines, and bottom trawls.