Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, slender, dorsal ridge present; color gray to brown, lighter on belly, small fish under 61 cm (2 ft) may have black markings on fins edged in white; eyes oval, compressed; prominent spiracle (opening) behind eye; pronounced fold below eye; nostrils with anterior flaps; teeth low, flat, blunt, forming a mosaic-like pattern; both dorsal finsbroadly rounded at tip, almost equal in size, 2nd dorsal fin slightly smaller than 1st; 2nd dorsal fin originates in front of anal fin; tail with deep notch on underside of upper lobe, lower lobe rounded; labial folds (folds in the corners of the mouth) in upper jaw longer than folds in lower jaw; lower jaw angular. |
Similar Species |
Dogfishes can be distinguished from other sharks by their cat-like eyes, spiracle behind the eyes and both dorsal fins being nearly equal in size. Smooth dogfishes differ from the Florida smoothhound by having a rounded lower caudal lobe (pointed in Florida smoothhound), and more rounded dorsal fin tips. Differs from the Cuban dogfish which has spines on both dorsal fins. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay |
Maximum Size |
150 cm (5 ft), common to 100 cm 3 1/3 ft) |
Fin Element Counts |
none (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
None; Check for state record. |