Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis)

Scientific name: Centroscymnus coelolepis Barbosa du Bocage & de Brito Capello, 1864

The Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) is a marine fish of the family Somniosidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 5–13°C (41–55°F).

Portuguese dogfish care at a glance

Temperature: 5–13°C (41–55°F)

Biology

Found on continental slopes and abyssal plains. Feeds mainly on fish (including sharks) and cephalopods, also gastropods and cetacean meat. Ovoviviparous, with 13 to 29 young per litter, born at 27-31 cm. Utilized as fishmeal, dried and salted for human consumption, or as a source of squalene.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Centroscymnus coelolepis
Family: Somniosidae (Sleeper sharks)
Order: Squaliformes (Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks)
Class: Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length: 120
Common length: 92.0
Depth range: 150–3700 m (492–12139 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 150 - 3700 m, usually 400 - 2000 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Grand Banks to Delaware, USA; Cuba. Eastern Atlantic: Iceland south along Atlantic slope to the southwestern Cape coast of South Africa; also western Mediterranean. Western Pacific: off Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Western Indian Ocean: Seychelles.
Conservation status (IUCN): Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec=13-29)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026