Species profile
Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Identify Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 10 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is an IUCN Vulnerable shark or ray regulated in 12 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Alaska); the most generous is 20 (California).
Confirmed by 333 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with North Carolina, New Jersey, and New York the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Has a venomous spine in front of each dorsal fin capable of delivering a mild toxin.
- Gestation lasts about 22-24 months, one of the longest pregnancies of any shark.
- Travels in large, sex-segregated schools that can number in the thousands.
- Can live over 35 years in North Atlantic waters.
- Historically one of the most abundant shark species in the world's oceans.
Where Spiny Dogfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Spiny Dogfish
Background
The spiny dogfish, spurdog, mud shark, or piked dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is one of the best known species of the Squalidae (dogfish) family of sharks, which is part of the Squaliformes order. While these common names may apply to several species, Squalus acanthias is distinguished by having two spines (one anterior to each dorsal fin) and lacks an anal fin. It is found mostly in shallow waters…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Spiny Dogfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sharks & rays on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Spiny Dogfish?
Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is an IUCN Vulnerable shark or ray regulated in 12 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Spiny Dogfish?
Spiny Dogfish is Squalus acanthias.
Is Spiny Dogfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Spiny Dogfish has fishing regulations in 10 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Spiny Dogfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Spiny Dogfish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.