Cirrhigaleus asper (Roughskin spurdog)

(Merrett, 1973)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Squalomorphii > Squaliformes > Squalidae

Cirrhigaleus asper (Roughskin spurdog) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A heavy-bodied, spotless dogfish with a blunt, rounded snout, large denticles and noticably rough skin, and its 1st dorsal spine behind the pectorals. Colour dark grey or brown above, lighter below, white edges on fins.

Size

To 1.2 m TL.

Range

East coast from Port Alfred to Mozambique; Atlantic, Indian Ocean and west-central Pacific.

Habitat

Outer shelf and slope near bottom at 214 to 600 m.

Biology

Bears up to 22 young. Feeds on bony fish and squid.

Human Impact

Occasionally caught by commercial lineboats.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale