Spiny Dogfish, Pike Dogfish
Cazón Espinoso Común, Aiguillat Commun
(Squalus acanthias)

Spiny Dogfish, Squalus acanthias: The Spiny Dogfish has a slender cylindrical body that is grey above and white below and usually has conspicuous white spots on its sides. The eyes are midway between the tip of the snout and the first gill slit.

The Spiny Dogfish has a short nasal flap with the inner corners of the nostrils being closer to the snout tip than to the mouth. It has two dorsal fins both of which have a single spine with the one on the second dorsal being longer than the one on the first dorsal. The first dorsal originates behind the pectoral fins; the caudal fin does not have a notch on the lower lobe.

The Spiny Dogfish reaches a maximum length of 5 feet and can be found near the bottom from intertidal zones to up to a mile deep. It is often found in bays and estuaries. Based on the unique dorsal spines the Spiny Dogfish is not likely confused with any other species. The Spiny Dogfish can be found in all Mexican fishing waters.

The Spiny Dogfish is a member of the Squalidae Family which are the Dogfish Sharks and known in Mexico fishing areas as Cazones Aquijones. In general, they have cylindrical bodies, short snouts, and five gill slits. Their teeth on the upper and lower jaws are of similar size with strongly oblique tips. They lack anal fins but have two dorsal fins with the origin of the first well before the pelvic fins. The tail base has a pair of keels and the skin is covered with denticles.

Globally, 10 species of Squalidae have been identified of which two are found in Mexican Waters. The Spiny Dogfish is found in all oceans of the world. In the Atlantic ir rangea from Greenland to Argentina, and in the Pacific from the Bering Sea to New Zealand.

Spiny Dogfish picture 1

Spiny Dogfish picture 2

Spiny Dogfish picture 32

Spiny Dogfish, Squalus acanthias: Commercially caught fish, courtesy of the pangueros of Todos Santos, Mexico, during fishing in July 2008. Size 30 inches. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.

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