Makos have a streamlined, well-proportioned body and a conical pointed snout. The longfin mako has a blunter snout and a larger eye than the shortfin and much longer pectoral fins. There is a large, prominent, flattened keel on either side of the caudal peduncle. It can be easily distinguished from all other sharks by its teeth, which are like curved daggers with no cusps at the base or serrations along the razor sharp edges. The front surface is flat and the teeth are curved inward. The back of the shortfin make is a brilliant blue-gray or cobalt blue and the sides are light blue, changing to snowy white on the belly including the lower jaw. The longfin mako is also blue above with light blue sides, and is white below except for the jaw. In life the mako’s colors are the most strikingly beautiful of all the mackerel sharks. After death the colors fade to grayish brown.

The mako is a known enemy of the broadbill swordfish. In one case a 730 lb. (331 kg) mako was found to have swallowed a 120 lb. (54 kg) swordfish whole. It has been implicated in attacks on humans and is the undisputed leader on attacks on boats. A hooked mako will unleash all its fury, reportedly leaping as high as 30 ft. (10 m) out of the water. It may roll, shake, dive, and charge the boat. It has also been known to bite the boat and occasionally leap into it, causing severe injuries to the angler and wreaking havoc in the cockpit.

Fishing methods include trolling with whole tuna, mullet, squid, mackerel, or lures and also, chumming or live bait fishing with similar baits. Many are hooked incidentally while trolling for marlins. The flesh is excellent and said to be similar to swordfish.

The mackerel sharks (mako, white and porbeagle) are all ovoviviparous, the eggs hatch inside the mother and the young are born alive.