Black Dogfish Shark

The black dogfish is a small deep dwelling shark with a short and heavily set body. Both of the dorsal fins have white spines on the leading edge. The second dorsal fin is larger than the first. As its name suggests, this shark is completely black with the exception of the white dorsal spines. The tricuspid teeth are similar in both the upper and lower jaws with the middle cusp being the longest.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Presence of white dorsal fin spines
No anal fin
Tricuspid teeth in both jaws
Minute, thorn-like dermal denticles

Diet

This shark feeds mainly upon cephalopods, pelagic crustaceans, jellyfish, and small redfish.

Reproduction

This shark is ovoviviparous; the fertilized eggs develop within the uterus.

Habitat

This is a deep water shark occurring at depths of 275 to 1600 meters (975 to 5,280 feet). However in its northern range in subarctic waters, the black dogfish may occur at the surface. Water temperatures where specimens have been obtained are commonly between 3.5 to 4.5 degrees Celsius.

Range

This shark species occurs only in the Atlantic Ocean basin. In the northwestern Atlantic Ocean the black dogfish can be found off southern Greenland and Baffin Island, continuing to waters around Labrador, Newfoundland, on the Scotian Shelf, and Georges Bank. Its range continues down to Cape Hatteras and possibly to Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico.

Sharks
Whale Shark Basking Shark Great White Tiger Shark Thresher Shark Shortfin Mako Blue Shark Porbeagle Shark Sand Tiger Shark	Sharpnose Shark Oceanic Whitetip Dusky Shark Smooth Hammerhead Portuguese Rough Sagre Smooth Dogfish Spiny Dogfish Black Dogfish