Blacktailed Spurdog

About the Blacktailed Spurdog

Blacktailed Spurdogs are commonly around New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the Western Central Pacific Ocean at depths between 320 to 340 m. 

Biology and Behaviour

Blacktailed spurdogs are small sharks that grow up to 80 cm long.  They have black tips on their dorsal and pectoral fins, black dorsal caudal margin and black ventral caudal lobe. Their body is fairly slender with a long, narrow snout. 

They feed on shrimp, molluscs and a variety of deepwater fishes such as: laternfishes, boarfishes, barracudas and flatheads.

When captures, blacktailed spurdogs defend themselves by whipping their bodies and their long second dorsal spine.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Blacktailed spurdogs are ovoviviparous and give birth to live young with at least three pups in a litter.

Conservation and Tourism

The IUCN lists blacktailed spurdogs as least concern. There are no conservation measures currently in place for this species, however, there are a limited number of fisheries that operate in their range.

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