Fun Prickly Dogfish Facts For Kids
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The prickly dogfish is one of the most interesting fishes you can see in an aquarium! The prickly dogfish has a recognizable profile with a sturdy body and a steeply arched back.
It has a small, rounded nose and a somewhat flattened head. There are 12–19 rows of upper teeth and 11–13 rows of bottom teeth. The upper teeth are tiny with narrow, erect cusps, and the lower teeth are massive, with wide blade-like triangular cusps.
The body length of a newborn is approximately 9.4 in (24 cm). Males and females reach sexual maturity at 22–24 in (55.8–60.9 cm) and 26.3 in (67 cm), respectively.
Aside from its description, its strange skin type and odd-looking features endear it to no one, which is why you will almost never see people admiring it outside of scientific curiosity. Just because it is not a looker does not make it an uninteresting fish!
Continue reading for more fun and interesting facts about the prickly dogfish. For more related content about other fish, read our articles about the spiny dogfish and the pangasius.
Prickly Dogfish Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a prickly dogfish?
The prickly dogfish (Oxynotus bruniensis) of order Squaliformes) is a type of fish. It is a shark.
What class of animal does a prickly dogfish belong to?
The prickly dogfish (Oxynotus bruniensis) in the genus Oxynotus) belongs to the class of fishes.
How many prickly dogfish are there in the world?
The exact population range of this prickly dogfish shark species (Oxynotus bruniensis) is not known. However, they have a conservation status of Near Threatened, meaning their numbers are declining.
Where does a prickly dogfish live?
This species of dogfish livee in the ocean. You can find prickly sharks all over the Pacific Ocean. This shark has been recorded off the coasts of Japan, Australia's Queensland and Victoria, and New Zealand, and around the islands of Palau, Hawaii, Tonga, and the Gilberts in the central and western Pacific.
What is a prickly dogfish's habitat?
This species, which has rough skin and lives near the seafloor and upper slopes, is a rare resident of temperate waters. This shark has been found at a depth range from 147.6-3,500.7 ft (45-1,067 m). However, this shark is usually found at a depth range of 1,148.2-2,132.5 ft (350-650m) in the ocean.
Who does the prickly dogfish live with?
These sharks are most likely solitary, but no documentation about them has been found. On the other hand, nurse sharks live in clusters.
How long does a prickly dogfish live?
The lifespan of this species with sail-like dorsal fins is around 20-24 years, although some have reached 50.
How do they reproduce?
This creature, located in New Zealand, is aplacental viviparous, with females carrying seven to eight mature eggs in their ovaries and one can be pregnant with seven embryos.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of this species with extremely rough skin, which is how it got its common name and observed on the coast of New Zealand is listed as Near Threatened listed by the IUCN due to excessive fishing pressure. Bonnethead sharks are listed as Endangered.
Prickly Dogfish Fun Facts
What do prickly dogfish look like?
In a cross-section, the body is generally triangular. The two dorsal fins with spines are exceptionally tall, with triangular apexes that resemble sails.
The spines of the first dorsal fin are angled forward. The first dorsal fin is located anterior of the pectoral fins, over the gill slits.
The second dorsal fin appears shorter than the first. The space between the first dorsal fin and the second dorsal fin is less than the length of the base. There is no such thing as an anal fin on this shark.
The caudal fin is wide and tall, with a ventral slit near the upper lobe's end due to a thick layer of massive dermal denticles having thin, knife-like crowns. Adults can reach a maximum length of 23.6 in (60 cm) for males and 28.3 in (72 cm) for females.
* Please note that this is an image of a spiny dogfish, similar to the prickly dogfish. If you have an image of a prickly dogfish, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.
How cute are they?
These sharks with rough, prickly skin are not adorable. It is the rough skin that inspired its common name.
How do they communicate?
The communication methods of this shark species with two large sail-like dorsal fins are poorly known.
How big is a prickly dogfish?
The average body length range of prickly dogfish sharks (Oxynotus bruniensis) is about 30 in (76.2 cm). On the other hand, the average length range of the spiny dogfish species is between 39-49 in (99-124.4 cm). Therefore, the length of the spiny dogfish species is greater than these Oxynotus bruniensis sharks.
How fast can a prickly dogfish swim?
It is a sluggish swimmer capable of hovering over the seafloor with little effort. However, the tiger shark can reach speeds of up to 20 mph (32 kph).
How much does a prickly dogfish weigh?
The average body weight of this shark with a cross-section that appears triangular is around 21.6 lb (9.8 kg). This species is found along the coast of New Zealand.
What are the male and female names of the species?
These rough-bodied male and female sharks have no particular names.
What would you call a baby prickly dogfish?
These baby sharks with sail-like dorsal fins are known as pups.
What do they eat?
The upper jaw of the prickly dogfish bears lanceolate teeth, and the lower jaw contains blade-like teeth. Prickly dogfish spend a lot of time on the seafloor at a depth range of 1,150-2,130 ft (350-650 m). They feed benthic creatures, invertebrates, and bottom-dwelling fishes. For example, megamouth sharks eat plankton or small crustaceans that they filter.
Are they dangerous?
They are one of the most common shark species in the water; however, they are completely harmless. Despite its spiky spines, this dogfish eats its prey by chewing it with its pointy teeth and powerful jaw.
Would they make a good pet?
These sharks are not suitable as pets. They live for a very long time and are remarkably gregarious animals. As a result, they are a significant commitment. Although they do not grow to enormous sizes, they nevertheless require enormous tanks to float in.
Did you know...
Fishes that move in open water are generally formed like a spindle in a fusiform shape, meaning decreasing to both sides. For pelagic fishes, it is the most energy-efficient body form. However, a spindle-shaped body is less energy efficient among fishes that reside on or close to the bottom of the sea.
Leopard sharks are also recognized as catsharks.
How much is prickly dogfish?
The prickly dogfish shark is a small shark with a slim body and a pointy snout. A pound of cod can sell up to a dollar, whereas a pound of dogfish is usually valued at around 25 cents.
Are dogfish edible?
Yes, these fishes are delicious and, in some situations, a popular ingredient in various recipes. Many people who appreciate eating fish claim that this fish is wonderful and one of their favorites in the shape of fillets. Dogfish is not only palatable and appetizing, but it is also very healthy.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content,check out these nurse shark facts and bonnethead shark facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable prickly dogfish coloring pages.
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Devangana RathoreBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy
Devangana is a highly accomplished content writer and a deep thinker with a Master's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin. With a wealth of experience in copywriting, she has worked with The Career Coach in Dublin and is constantly looking to enhance her skills through online courses from some of the world's leading universities. Devangana has a strong background in computer science and is also an accomplished editor and social media manager. Her leadership skills were honed during her time as the literacy society president and student president at the University of Delhi.
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