Bartail Spurdog

About the Bartail Spurdog

The bartail spurdog is a small deepwater dogfish endemic to Australia and found in northeastern Queensland. It occurs on the upper continental slope at depths of 225 to 454 m (738–1,490 ft).

Like other spurdogs, the species has smooth spines on its dorsal fins.

Very little is known about its behaviour or biology because only a small number of specimens have been recorded. The largest recorded specimen was a male measuring at least 62 cm (24.4 in) in total length. The species is presumed to be ovoviviparous, meaning embryos develop inside eggs within the mother’s body.

The area it inhabits is not heavily fished, and deepwater fisheries are currently limited in most of its known range. Although its population trend is unknown, the IUCN assessed the Bartail Spurdog as Least Concern in 2019 because fishing pressure is limited in its range. However, future expansion of deepwater fisheries could pose a threat because the species may be caught as bycatch.

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