Fatspine spurdog

📖 Overview

Fatspine spurdog (Squalus crassispinus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Squalidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 47.6 cm. It occurs at depths between 187 and 262 metres. With a trophic level of 4, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This small species of the 'megalops-cubensis group' is distinguished by the following characters: head width at mouth 9.9-11.3% TL; mouth width 2.1-2.4 times the horizontal prenarial length; direct pre-second dorsal length 3.7-4.2 times the pectoral-fin anterior margin, 2.6-2.8 times the dorsal caudal margin; preoral length 2.7-3.0 times the horizontal prenarial length, 8.3-9.2% TL; anterior nasal flap strongly bifurcate; first dorsal fin upright to raked; the exposed bases of dorsal-fin spines are very broad, 1.2-1.5% TL; both dorsal fins have short inner margins, first dorsal-fin height 1.3-1.7 times its inner margin length, second dorsal-fin height 1.1-1.3 times its inner margin length; pectoral-fin anterior margin 1.9-2.2 times its inner margin length; preventral caudal margin 2.4-4.6 times inner margin of pelvic fin; caudal fin pale with poorly demarcated, whitish posterior margin, caudal bar absent; flank denticles unicuspid; monospondylous centra 39-42 (mainly 40-41), precaudal centra 82-86, total centra 107-111 (mainly 109-110) .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Fatspine spurdog is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

Distinct pairing with embrace .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 187 - 262 m . Subtropical occurs more widely in the eastern Indian Ocean.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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