Picked dogfish (Squalus acanthias) fish species and Picked dogfish information

Scientific Name
Squalus acanthias

Common Name
Picked dogfish

Biology
Possibly the most abundant living shark (Ref. 247). An inshore and offshore dogfish of the continental and insular shelf and upper slopes (Ref. 247, 11230). Usually near the bottom, but also in midwater and at the surface (Ref. 26346). Often found in enclosed bays and estuaries (Ref. 247). Reported to enter freshwater (Ref. 11980) but cannot survive there for more than a few hours (Ref. 247). Schools mainly segregated by size and sex; mixed schools also reported (Ref. 247). Growth is slow. At sexual maturity, males are 60-70 cm long, females 75-90 cm (Ref. 35388). Gestation period is 2 years (Ref. 36731). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), with 1 to 20 young in a litter (Ref. 247). The only species of horned sharks that can inflict toxins with its tail. Utilized for human consumption, liver oil, vitamins, sand paper, leather, fertilizer, etc. (Ref. 247, 27436).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)

Family

Dogfish sharks (Squalidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Greenland to Argentina. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland and Murmansk Coast (Russia) to South Africa, including the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Reports from off New Guinea are doubtful (Ref. 6871). Records from North Pacific refer to Squalus suckleyi (Ref. 85328).

Range

73°N - 56°S, 117°E - 50°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

7 °C

Water Temperature To

15 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

1460 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; brackish; benthopelagic; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 1460 m (Ref. 26346), usually ? - 200 m (Ref. 9253)

Trophic Level

4.3 s.e. 0.67 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

160 cm

Common Length

100.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (69 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (rm=0.034; K=0.03-0.07; tm=10-30; tmax=75; Fec=1)

Threat To Humans

Venomous (Ref. 4690)

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A2bd+3bd+4bd)

Picked dogfish (Squalus acanthias) fish species and information / pictures of Picked dogfish - Squalus acanthias

Picked dogfish (Squalus acanthias) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population