Spurdog

Squalus acanthias · Sharks and dogfish

Also called spur dog, spiny dogfish

What fish is this?Narrow it down by fins, barbels and markings

A small, slim shark with sharp spines on both dorsal fins, found around Britain and Ireland, with Scotland's west coast a summer hotspot.^[1]

How to recognise it

A sharp spine on the front edge of each dorsal fin. Handle with care.^[1]
No anal fin, which sets it apart from dogfish and catsharks.^[2]
Rows of white spots along the flanks on a slate to bluish-grey back, with a pale belly.^[2]

When and where

Found over: sand, mud^[1]
Baits: mackerel strip, herring, sandeel, bluey, squid, cuttlefish, peeler crab^[3]
Light: May swim very close to the surface at night.^[1]

Sources

These notes are a draft: we gathered them from the sources above and are still checking them. We don't work out best times for this fish yet. The size rules come from the same checked byelaws as every other fish.

Fish guide