It is similar in appearance to the tropical two-wing flyingfish (Exocoetus volitans) which shares much of its range, but differs in certain characteristics; the head is quite blunt, the forehead sloping steeply down in front of the eyes; the pectoral fins extend as far as the base of the caudal fin; the origin of the anal fin is slightly in front of the origin of the dorsal fin, and the dorsal fin is colourless.[3] Both these two-winged species have very small pelvic fins, whereas other so called four-winged species of flyingfish have pelvic fins that extend at least as far as the origin of the anal fin.[3] Like all flying-fishes, E. obtusirostris exhibits countershading, being darkish blue dorsally and white ventrally.[4]