Small-spotted Catshark Scyliorhinus canicula

The Small-spotted Catshark was previously known as the Lesser-spotted Dogfish and is commonly called by its former name. The small-/lesser-spotted name relates to the small spots over its body. It is also called the Rough Hound after its dogfish name and its rough skin.

It is native to shallow water of the northeastern Atlantic from Norway to Senegal, including the Mediterranean. Mainly nocturnal, prey is mainly shellfish but also small fish.

It grows to about a metre long. The underside is pale. The Greater-spotted Dogfish or Nursehound, S. stellaris, is a related and similar-looking catshark over the same range with slightly larger spots and growing to a metre and a half.

They are egg-layers (mermaid's purses). Juveniles are shown immediately above compared in size to a whelk.