 Growing up to long, the nursehound has a robust body with a broad, rounded head and two dorsal fins placed far back.It shares its range with the more common and closely related small-spotted catshark ("S. canicula"), which it resembles in appearance but can be distinguished from, in having larger spots and nasal skin flaps that do not extend to the mouth.Nursehounds have nocturnal habits and generally hide inside small holes during the day, often associating with other members of its species.