Prickly dogfish

Oxynotus bruniensis

A rough triangle raises twin sails

Temperate
Southern Hemisphere
Restricted distribution
Marine fish
Pacific Ocean
Oceania
Elongated
Large

The prickly dogfish (Oxynotus bruniensis) is a poorly known species of dogfish shark in the family Oxynotidae, inhabiting temperate Australian and New Zealand waters. Reaching a length of 75 cm (30 in), this brown to gray shark has a very thick body with a prominent "humpback" and extremely rough skin. It is further characterized by two enormous, sail-like dorsal fins placed relatively close together.

Class: Sharks and Rays
Order: Dogfish Sharks
Family: Oxynotidae
Genus: Oxynotus
Maximum length: 65 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Southwest Pacific: confined to temperate waters off southern Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation status: NTNear Threatened

Report a correction