Males reach sexual maturity at about 4.5 to 5 ft. Body is compressed-cylindrical and moderately stout. First and second dorsal fin are equal sized with a broad base. Origin of first dorsal fin well behind the free rear ends of the pectoral fins. Origin of second dorsal fin slightly ahead of anal fin's origin.
Anal fin is approximately the same size as the two dorsal fins.
Upper caudal pit is present. Teeth are very prominent, with large narrow cusps and lateral cusplets. Light brown upper body, white ventral. Often has darker reddish or somewhat brownish spots scattered over the body. A common species that lives in wide environmental conditions, from shallow bays to more than 600 ft. depths over the outer shelves.