Piked Dogfish
The Piked dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is a small, widespread shark species found in temperate and subarctic oceans. Known for its distinctive white spots and sharp dorsal spines, it is often encountered by anglers. Although small, Spiny Dogfish are voracious predators, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. They are commonly caught in commercial fisheries and used for various products.
Length~90 (max 120)
Weight~5 (max 10)
WaterSalt
Water Temp15° F
Depth50-700 ft
- Other namesSpiny dogfish, Spurdog, Mud shark
- Length~90 (max 120)
- Weight~5 (max 10)
- WaterSalt
- Water Temp15° F
- Depth50-700 ft
Popular lures for Piked Dogfish
Regulation for Piked Dogfish
- SeasonAlways open
- Bag limitNo
- Vessel limit-
- Trophy limits-
- Max size-
- Min sizeNo-
- Measurement-
- Prohibited methods-
Living Conditions
🐟 Habitat preferences
- Piked dogfish prefer cooler waters, often found in temperate and subarctic regions
- They inhabit both coastal and offshore waters, frequently at depths ranging from shallow to moderately deep
- Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, making them versatile feeders
- These sharks often form large schools, particularly during feeding or migration
♻️ Life cycle and mating behavior
- Piked dogfish have a long gestation period, with females carrying embryos for up to two years
- They give birth to live young, with litters ranging from a few to several pups
- These sharks are slow-growing and reach sexual maturity relatively late, which makes their populations vulnerable to overfishing
- Migrations occur seasonally, with schools moving to different depths and regions depending on water temperature and food availability