Facts: The Spiny Dogfish

The spiny dogfish is a globally distributed migratory shark. They primarily inhabit temperate waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. White spots cover their slender bodies. Each dorsal fin on top of this shark's body has a sharp spine in front of it. The spines are venomous. Spiny dogfish are known to hunt in schools. These schools can contain hundreds or thousands of individuals. They are opportunistic feeders. They eat animals like crustaceans, small fish, jellyfish, and squid. Animals like goosefish, larger sharks, and orcas prey on spiny dogfish. Their oil-rich liver has historically been harvested for use in lamp oil and machine lubricants. The spiny dogfish has long been considered a pest by commercial fishermen. They are suspected of being a major source of predation mortality for economically valuable species. And because of their small size, they are commonly caught as bycatch in fishing nets. Today, they are valued as a food source in many countries. In the United States, an Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery operates from Maine to Florida. In 2017, commercial landings of spiny dogfish in the Atlantic totaled more than 21.5 million pounds. There is little demand for spiny dogfish in the U.S., but they are commonly exported to Europe and used as the Like all sharks, spiny dogfish grow slowly, mature late in life, and live a long time. They may grow over 4 ft long and their lifespan is often debated. Estimates range from 35 to over 80 years. Females grow larger than males and they mature later. They mate in offshore waters. Fertilization of eggs is internal. After a gestation period of 18 to 24 months, females bear live young. Females typically have between 2 and 15 young per spawning season. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!