There are numerous transverse dark bars on the dorsum and these are longer,extending below the lateral line, towards the head while in S. sphyraena they do not extend to the lateral line.[3] Generally the colouration is a countershaded dark above, silvery below and the barring fades on dead specimens.[4] Juveniles are described as being dark yellow or greenish in colour.[5] S. viridensis averages smaller than S. sphyraena growing to a standard length of 65 cm, although the average length is 35–40 cm.[4] but specimens up to 114.5 cm have been caught of the Azores.[5] The rod caught record is 10.2 kg which was caught off Lanzarote in the Canary Islands in 2007.[6]