Smooth Dogfish: Chesapeake Bay's Small Summer Shark
Mustelus canis
Use these resources to learn how to identify a smooth dogfish, find out what other shark species live in Virginia waters, explore our shark longline data over the years, and find answers to frequently asked questions.
smooth dogfish ID GUIDEOTHER VA SHARKSSHARK DATA APP
A common to abundant seasonal visitor in summer and fall to lower Chesapeake Bay, smooth dogfish swim in packs or schools. Unlike the spiny dogfish, another local dogfish species, they lack a heavy spine on both dorsal fins.
Maximum Size
Approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length.
Geographic Range
Found only in the coastal areas of the western Atlantic but apparently absent from much of Brazil. Migrates north and south with the seasons in the northern part of its range. The smooth dogfish is a common to abundant seasonal visitor in summer and fall to lower Chesapeake Bay.
Diet
Feeds mainly on crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, shrimps); also, on a variety of small bottom-dwelling and pelagic bony fish, king crabs, squid, bivalves, gastropods, polychaete worms, and occasionally garbage.
Depth Range
Typically found in waters less than 60 feet (20 meters) deep. Rarely down to 450 feet (150 meters).
Ecology
An active bottom shark, especially on muddy bottoms of coastal waters. Occasionally found in fresh water but not ascending rivers very far above their mouths. Viviparous, with 4 to 20 young per litter. Kept in aquaria for public viewing.
Fishing Interest
Fished in coastal waters, an important fisheries catch off Cuba, Mexico, and northeastern Venezuela, but probably caught wherever it occurs. Caught mainly with bottom longlines; also with floating longlines, probably gill nets, and occasionally with bottom trawls. Marketed fresh and salted, not highly esteemed as a food-fish in some places.