Size:

Features:

• species recognized by its short length
• body is spindle-shaped and very robust
• small dorsal fin which is deeply concave
• spherical head that is conical in front; crescent-shaped "bracket" mark on the side of the head - sometimes referred to as a "false gill"
• the head overhangs the lower jaw giving is it an underslung appearance over its small, narrow mouth
• each side of the lower jaw contains 9-16 sharp, slender, inward-curved teeth that fit into sockets in the upper jaw
• each side of the upper jaw contains 3-7 teeth that are small and almost vestigial
• colour: dark steel-grey to bluish/blackish on top gradually shading to grey-white on the belly; a round white spot is located in front of the eye; older animals become speckled underneath