The upper jaw is flattened and extended into an elongated, sword-like bill. Pectoral fins are falcate and somewhat rigid. There are two distinct anal fins with the first being much longer than the second. Juveniles exhibit elongated bills on both jaws and their dorsal and anal fins are continuous. The head and body display colors such as blackish brown, dark grey, bronze or bluish black dorsally, while the underside is paler. The fin membrane of the first dorsal fin is dark blackish brown and the other fins are brown or blackish brown.