Squalus blainville (Risso, 1827)
Longnose spurdog
photo by The Fish Database of Taiwan

Family:  Squalidae (Dogfish sharks)
Max. size:  121.6 cm TL (male/unsexed); 117.5 cm TL (female); max.weight: 7,262.0 g
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 15 - 1500 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Bay of Biscay to Mediterranean, Morocco, Senegal to Namibia (these records may include other species in addition to Squalus blainvillei). Although reported from the Canary Islands (e.g. Ref. 247), it is most likely based on misidentifications of Squalus megalops (Ref. 6808). Western Pacific: southern Japan and Taiwan. Nominal records of Squalus blainville or Squalus fernandinus from the western Atlantic (North Carolina, USA to northern Gulf of Mexico; Argentina), Indian Ocean (South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania and India) and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Hawaii and northern Chile), as well as some records from the northwest Pacific and eastern Atlantic are based at least in part on Squalus mitsukurii and possibly other species. Whether Squalus blainville itself is as wide-ranging as reported for blainville-group dogfishes (including Squalus mitsukurii) remains to be determined.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found on the continental shelves and upper slopes. Depth range from 16-440 m (Ref. 0247), and from 300-780m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Forms schools. Off West Africa, water temperature and salinity where this species is often found ranges from 11-18°C and 36 ppt. (at 16 to 255 m depth), respectively. Feeds on bony fishes, like denticids, mackerel and percichthyids, as well as crabs, lobsters, and octopi. Ovoviviparous, with 3 to 4 young per litter. Utilized fresh, dried salted and smoked for human consumption.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 31 August 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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