Dogfish

Dogfish

Small-spotted catshark or Lesser spotted Dogfish - Scientific name - Scyliorhinus canicular

Conservation status

Listed as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

However the MCS have concerns over Lesser Spotted Dogfish. ‘Fish from the North Sea and eastern English Channel are Fish to Avoid. Dogfish from the western UK are OK but improvements are needed. There is little management in place and not much is known about the population.’

 Overview

The small-spotted catshark, more commonly known as Dogfish is a small shark,  named due to the dark spots and blotches covering its skin. The surface of their skin is very rough like a shark, and if rubbed the wrong way are like sandpaper. They have a long slim body which is tan or light brown. With a light grey to white underside.

Dogfish are predators and feed on crabs, molluscs and other small fish. When threatened, they curl up into a donut shape – making them look bigger and harder to eat. They are highly common around the UK and live close to the seabed in shallow waters down to 100m deep.

Dogfish can weigh up to 4 kilos and grow up to 1 metre in length.

They are also known as ‘rock salmon' – a name you’ll sometimes see on fish and chip shop menus!

Dogfish have a relatively long lifespan, living 30 to 40 years.

A 2014 study at University of Exeter found that Dogfish can have different personality types. Some are more sociable, some more aggressive and some more exploratory.

Source

Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-spotted_catshark

Marine Conservation Society - https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/marine/fish-including-sharks-skates-and-rays/small-spotted-catshark