These slim sharks are reddish brown to light yellow underneath, with a distinctive dark brown or black chain pattern down their bodies. They have rounded snouts and large oval eyes, and somewhat lobed fins set further back towards their asymmetrical, notched caudal (tail) fin. Rarely growing longer than 18 inches, they eat primarily squid and small bony fishes. They are considered harmless to humans, and because of their colouring, they are popular in aquariums.