Fin's Fish Guide
The Longnose spurdog (Squalus blainville) is a brackish-water fish of the family Squalidae that grows up to 122 cm.
Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, along the outer edge of the continental shelf and the slope.
Description
Blainville's spurdog is a slender, small shark of the family Squalidae reaching about 120 cm. The grey, sometimes brownish body has large, greenish glossy eyes, a fairly long snout and a stout spine in front of each of the two dorsal fins; the belly is paler. The species lives along the outer edge of the continental shelf and slope in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, usually at tens to more than a thousand metres, often close to the bottom. It hunts bottom fish, crustaceans and squid. Reproduction is ovoviviparous and slow. Because little is known about its population, the IUCN assesses the species as Data Deficient (DD).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Longnose spurdog?
The Longnose spurdog has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender spurdog with a stout spine in front of each dorsal fin and large, greenish-shining eyes; recognisable by the long snout.
Where does the Longnose spurdog live?
The Longnose spurdog lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, along the outer edge of the continental shelf and the slope.
How big does the Longnose spurdog get?
The Longnose spurdog grows to a maximum of about 122 cm.
Is the Longnose spurdog dangerous to humans?
No, the Longnose spurdog is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Longnose spurdog edible?
The Longnose spurdog is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Longnose spurdog and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Squalus
More from the family Squalidae
Want the complete picture on the Longnose spurdog?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Longnose spurdog is one of 12,519 species in the app.