It has relatively small pectoral fins, and the pelvic fins are directly below the forwardmost point of the first dorsal fin; The anal fin has a one spiny ray and 9 soft rays.[3] S. sphyraena has scales covering both the anterior and posterior margins of the preoperculum, whereas in Sphyraena viridensis both margins have no scales.[5] They are normally around 30–60 cm in length and weigh 6 kg, but there are records of fish 165 cm long and reaching weights of at least 12 kg.[6] It is the largest species of barracuda in the Mediterranean.[5]