Squalus megalops (Macleay 1881)

A small dogfish with a short, angular snout and a small mouth almost as wide as the snout is long; body without spots; 1st dorsal fin spine over pectoral fins (Ref. 5578). Bronze-grey above, white below; dorsal fins with black tips and white edges but markings inconspicuous in adults (Ref. 5578).

Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205). Ovoviviparous, with 2 to 4 young in a litter. Gestation period is about two years. Size at birth 20-24 cm TL (Ref. 6871).

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0

Found on the continental shelf and slope (Ref. 75154).

Found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes, on or near the bottom (Ref. 31367); sublittoral below 130 m (Ref. 11230). Young mostly pelagic off the outer shelves (Ref. 5578). Aggregations by sex are regularly observed (Ref. 6871). Feeds on bony fishes, shrimps and other crustaceans, cephalopods and other elasmobranchs (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205), with 2 to 4 young in a litter (Ref. 247). Gestation period is 2 years (Ref. 36731). Utilized for human consumption, the flesh most appealing dried salted or smoked (Ref. 6871). Also consumed fresh (Ref. 31367). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 6808.

fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes