HomeFish encyclopediaSharks and RaysBramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharksDogfish sharksKermadec spiny dogfish Kermadec spiny dogfish (Squalus raoulensis) Scientific name: Squalus raoulensis Duffy & Last, 2007 The Kermadec spiny dogfish (Squalus raoulensis) is a marine fish of the family Squalidae. Native range: Southwest Pacific, New Zealand. BiologyThis species is distinguished by the following combination of characters: width of mouth 2.4 - 2.7 times horizontal prenarial length; direct pre-second dorsal length 3.6 - 4 times pectoral-fin anterior margin, 2.7 - 2.9 times dorsal caudal margin; preoral length 3 - 3.2 times horizontal prenarial length, 2.3 - 2.5 times internarial width; bifurcate anterior nasal flap; first dorsal fin upright and rounded apically; dorsal-fin spines not robust, width of exposed bases 0.6 - 0.7% TL: first dorsal-fin height 1.2 - 1.4 times its inner margin length; second dorsal-fin height 0.85 - 0.93 times its inner margin length; pectoral-fin anterior margin 1.7 - 1.8 times its inner margin length; preventral caudal margin 1.7 - 2.3 times inner margin of pelvic fin; caudal fin pale with strongly demarcated, whitish posterior margin, no caudal bar; flank denticles unicuspid; monospondylous centra 41-43, precaudal centra 84-85, total centra 112-113; maximum adult size at least 73 cm TL.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameSqualus raoulensisFamilySqualidae (Dogfish sharks)OrderSqualiformes (Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks)ClassElasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)Maximum length68.1Depth range320 m (1050 ft)EnvironmentMarine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range ? - 320 mClimateTropicalDistributionSouthwest Pacific: New Zealand.Conservation status (IUCN)Data deficient (DD)Threat to humansHarmlessResilienceLow, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026