The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin has a medium-sized, fusiform body with a short rostrum, although it is comparatively longer and more slender than T. truncatus relative to body size. The dorsal fin is triangular or falcate, and dorsal coloration is dark grey, ventral coloration is very light grey in juvenile animals, developing dark speckling with age. The pectoral fins are also comparatively larger, possibly to allow greater manouverability in a shallow water habitat. Adults are slightly smaller and less robust than their Common bottlenose relatives.