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Cuban dogfish (Squalus cubensis) — Squalidae

Cuban dogfish

Squalus cubensis
Family: Squalidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cuban dogfish (Squalus cubensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Squalidae that grows up to 110 cm.

Length
110 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–400.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Cuban dogfish is a small dogfish of the family Squalidae from the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 1.1 metres and has a slender, grey body with large green eyes and a stout spine before each dorsal fin. It inhabits the continental shelves and upper slopes at 60 to 380 metres and sometimes forms schools. As a bottom predator it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and squid. Reproduction is ovoviviparous. The dorsal spines bear a weak venom; a sting gives a painful wound, so handle a caught specimen with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuban dogfish?

The Cuban dogfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Cuban dogfish live?

The Cuban dogfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cuban dogfish get?

The Cuban dogfish grows to a maximum of about 110 cm. On average the species is around 75 cm.

Is the Cuban dogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuban dogfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Cuban dogfish edible?

The Cuban dogfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cubaanse doornhaai sourced
English name
Cuban dogfish verified
Scientific name
Squalus cubensis
Family
Squalidae
Other names
Cuban dogfish; Puppyshark dogfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
110.0 verified
Average length (cm)
75.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
400.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Squalus

More from the family Squalidae

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