Canadian Shark ConservancyALL SHARKS

ATLANTIC CANADA · PACIFIC CANADA / CANADA

Spiny dogfish

Squalus acanthias

A smaller shark that broadens our understanding of Canadian shark diversity.

A spiny dogfish swimming above a sandy seafloor.
Photo: Doug Costa, NOAA/SBNMS · Public domain
Close-up of the prominent spine in front of a spiny dogfish dorsal fin.
Photo: Magnefl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Two spiny dogfish swimming over sand in an aquarium.
Photo: Ecomare / Salko de Wolf · CC BY-SA 4.0
CONSERVATION STATUSSource verification pending
SIZEUsually less than 1.5 m
DIETSmall fishes, squid and crustaceans
01

Species overview

Spiny dogfish occur in Canadian coastal and shelf waters and demonstrate that sharks come in many sizes and ecological roles.

02

Habitat and range

Temperate coastal and continental shelf waters

03

Diet

Small fishes, squid and crustaceans

04

Threats and pressures

Fishing pressure, Bycatch, Life-history vulnerability

Knowledge replaces fear. Stewardship begins with understanding.

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