ELASMOBRANCHII: SQUALEA: SQUALIDAE: Squalus

Squalus acanthias Linnaeus, 1758

Spiny Dogfish

Photo & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland. 

Notice the large spiracle behind and slightly above the eye of the shark.

Range: Much of the coastal waters of the world, excluding the tropics.

Diagnosis: A small, streamlined shark that lacks an anal fin and possess distinct spines in front of each dorsal fin.

Description: A slender species that is slightly depressed dorsoventrally. Nasal flaps present, small and narrow, barely reaching the length of the nostril. Eyes large, located in front of mouth. Dorsal spines large, white, and without grooves. First dorsal spine well behind the rear insertion of the pectoral fins. Body gray-brown to pinkish brown, with numerous small light lateral spots. Ventrally pale.

Reproduction: Dogfish bear up to up to 20 live young that measure about 18-22 cm. at birth. Age at sexual maturity unknown, assumed to be 10-12 years.

Taxonomy & Relationships:  A well-known species.

Holotype: Syntypes-- NRM LP 85; possibly also ZMUU Linnean collection 159.

Literature: Click on book to order.

Bigelow, H., and Wm. Schroeder. 1957. A study of the sharks of the suborder Squaloidea. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 117(1): 1-150.

Compagno, Leonard. 1984. FAO Species Catalogue, Vol. 4, Part 1. Sharks of the World. U.N. Development Programme, Rome. ISBN: 92-5-101384-5.

Garman, Samuel. 1997. The Plagiostomia (sharks, skates and rays). Benthic Press, L.A. ISBN: 0-9657121-0-9.

Last, Peter, and J. Stevens. 1994. Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. ISBN: 0-643-05143-0.