It closely resembles Auxis rochei, but it can be distinguished by having 36–42 gill rakers on the first gill arch. Pectoral fin extends beyond the vertical line from the anterior margin of the scaleless area above the corselet. The corselet is well developed but narrow in its posterior part, measuring no more than 5 scales wide under the origin of the second dorsal fin. The back is bluish, transitioning to a deep purple or nearly black color on the head. There is a pattern of 15 or more narrow, oblique to nearly horizontal, dark wavy lines in the scaleless area above the lateral line. The belly is white and the pectoral and pelvic fins exhibit a purple coloration.