Habitat

photo by: Tom Mchugh

Habitat Coastal populations to depths of 60’ (18 m); deeper in island waters.

Range Bermuda, Massachusetts to Florida, Bahamas, n and w Gulf of Mexico, Antilles; coast of Venezuela. Also from s Brazil to Argentina but absent from the region between Venezuela and s Brazil.

Discussion The Smooth Dogfish bears litters of four to 20 young. Feeding primarily on small fishes, crustaceans (including lobsters in northern waters), and other invertebrates, it does not attack humans.

The spiny dogfish shark stays in water that is between 45°F - 59°F (7°C - 15°C). It will venture into brackish waters. Dogfish are mostly bottom-dwellers, dwelling in depths from the surface down to 400 fathoms (2,400 feet).