Squalus cubensis

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
SqualidaeSqualus cubensisHowell Rivero1936Cuban Dogfish

Squalus cubensis

Unique Characters: Snout and head narrower; anterior nasal flap narrow. Second dorsal fin much smaller than first. Pectoral fins narrow and falcate. Precaudal pits well developed. First dorsal-fin spine anterior to or over free rear tips of pectoral fins. No white spots. Distance from tip of snout to inner corners of nostrils less than that from inner corners of nostrils to upper labial furrows. Posterior margins of pectoral fins deeply concave and free rear tips acutely pointed. Denticles from sides of body narrow and unicuspidate. Dorsal fins with conspicuous black apical blotches.

Similar Species:

Roughskin Dogfish Cirrhigaleus asper

Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias

Shortspine Dogfish
Squalus mitsukurii

Squalus acanthias
Spiny Dogfish – Squalus acanthias
Photo Credit: G.H. Burgess

Roughskin Dogfish Cirrhigaleus asper. Snout and head very broad; anterior nasal flap broad. First dorsal fin about as large as second. Pectoral fins broad and not strongly falcate. Precaudal pit absent.

Spiny Dogfish Squalus acanthias. Snout and head narrower; anterior nasal flap narrow. Second dorsal fin much smaller than first. Pectoral fins narrow and falcate. Precaudal pits well developed. First dorsal-fin spine well posterior to free rear tips of pectoral fins. White spots present on sides (occasionally absent in adults).

Shortspine Dogfish Squalus mitsukurii. Snout and head narrower; anterior nasal flap narrow. Second dorsal fin much smaller than first. Pectoral fins narrow and falcate. Precaudal pits well developed. First dorsal-fin spine anterior to or over free rear tips of pectoral fins. No white spots. Distance from tip of snout to inner corner of nostril greater than that from inner corner of nostril to upper labial furrow. Posterior margins of pectoral fins weakly concave, their free rear tips rounded. Denticles broad and tricuspidate on sides of body. Dorsal fins without conspicuous black apical blotches.

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