Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and South Africa to French Polynesia, north to Japan, south to New South Wales, Australia. Replaced by Tylosurus crocodilus fodiator in the eastern Pacific.

Back dark bluish, sides silvery, white ventrally. A distinct black lateral keel on caudal peduncle; caudal fin deeply forked. Juveniles (to 20 cm BL) have an elevated black lobe in the posterior part of the dorsal fin. Jaw teeth point anteriorly in juveniles (to 40 cm BL) but are straight at all sizes in other species of Tylosurus. Has a relatively stout, cylindrical body and a shorter head as compared to other needle fishes.

A pelagic species found over lagoon and seaward reefs. Solitary or in small groups. Feeds on fishes. Oviparous. Eggs may be found attached to objects in the water by tendrils on the egg's surface. Feared by fishers because they can cause puncture wounds with their sharp snouts when jumping out of the water, e.g. when alarmed or attracted to lights at night. Although sold fresh and considered a good food fish, its market is limited due to the green-colored flesh