The yellowmouth barracuda has a long, slender, almost cylindrical body, well adapted for fast swimming. Its coloration is silver-grey, becoming darker along the dorsal side, with approximately twenty dark transverse bands that extend halfway down the flanks. The head is pointed and relatively small, with a centrally positioned eye. Its wide mouth, often tinged with yellow, contains two rows of long, canine-like teeth adapted for capturing prey. Unlike the European barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena), the teeth of the yellowmouth barracuda are not visible when the mouth is closed. Despite its predatory appearance, it is not considered dangerous to humans.

This species often forms highly cohesive schools, sometimes composed of hundreds of individuals, which can be observed in coastal waters and around rocky reefs. These large, coordinated groups move together while hunting small fish and other prey.

An interesting ecological aspect of this species is that it is considered a thermophilic fish, meaning it prefers warmer waters. Originally an Atlantic species, the yellowmouth barracuda has successfully expanded its range into the Mediterranean Sea. Its increasing presence in the region is often associated with the warming of Mediterranean surface waters, which has facilitated the spread of several warm-water species in recent decades.