[4] The treefish has a robust oblong-shaped body which has a depth equivalent to 36% to 40% of its standard length.

The head has a covering of many spines and it has a pointed snout, small eyes, and a medium sized terminal mouth.

[1] The color pattern of the treefish is distinctive with the adults having bright red lips.

[6] The treefish is a nocturnal ambush predator feeding on benthic invertebrates and smaller fishes.

[6] Like other Sebastes rockfishes it is ovoviviparous,[1] and the females release larvae in March to July,[6] the juvenuiles shelter among mats of floating kelp[7] with the young fish settling onto the substrate in June to October.