Mantle conico-cylindrical, 14 cm in length. Fins rhombic, with straight margins, half as long as mantle length. Large sucker ring of arms with about 6 squarish teeth and smooth proximal margin. Left ventral arm in male hectocotylized. About 12 dorsal suckers of 1/3〜1/4 mid-portion reduced in size with triangularly enlarged pedicels. Tentacular club with 4 rows of suckers of which medial ones twice larger than marginal. Horny rings of large suckers with 35〜65 sharp teeth frequently alternating in size. Gladius leaf-shaped with margin never thickened.
Distribution:
From Nova Scotia to Venezuela, upper shelf zone. Absent in insular areas.
Remarks:
This species is one of the most important commercial squids along the coasts of Canada and U.S.A.