Diagnosis: Elops senegalensis is often confused with Elops lacerta, from which it is distinguished by a smaller number of gill-rakers on the lower limb of the first gill arch, being 11-15 vs. 17-19; and a greater number of small scales in the lateral line, 92-100 vs. 72-83 in E. lacerta (Ref. 2844, 81265).

Description: Spindle-shaped fish, oval in cross-section (Ref. 81265). Eyes large, partially covered by an adipose eyelid; mouth terminal, gape wide, the upper jaw extending distinctly beyond hind margin of eye; lower jaw slightly prominent, with a bony gular plate placed ventrally between its two branches (Ref. 81265). All fins spineless; a single dorsal fin positioned at about mid-length of body, its long base enclosed in a scaly sheath; pectoral fins set low on sides, pelvics abdominal; both paired fins with a scaly axillary process above their bases; caudal fin deeply forked (Ref. 81265).

Colouration: The colour of this species is the same as in Elops lacerta (Ref. 2844, 81265).