Shortnose spurdog (Squalus megalops)

Scientific name: Squalus megalops Macleay, 1881

Shortnose spurdog (Squalus megalops)

The Shortnose spurdog (Squalus megalops) is a marine fish of the family Squalidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 9–23°C (48–73°F).

Shortnose spurdog care at a glance

Temperature
9–23°C (48–73°F)

Biology

Found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes, on or near the bottom; sublittoral below 130 m. Young mostly pelagic off the outer shelves. Aggregations by sex are regularly observed. Feeds on bony fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans, cephalopods and other elasmobranchs. Ovoviviparous, with 2 to 4 young in a litter. Gestation period is 2 years. Utilized for human consumption, the flesh most appealing dried salted or smoked. Also consumed fresh. Minimum depth reported from.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Squalus megalops
Family
Squalidae (Dogfish sharks)
Order
Squaliformes (Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
71.0
Depth range
30–750 m (98–2461 ft)
Environment
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 30 - 750 m, usually 80 - 300 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: appears to be an Australian endemic. Dogfishes presently referred to in current literature as Squalus megalops appear to belong to a complex of similar species. Specimens from the different regions still need to be compared carefully.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=2)

Sources

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

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