dog·fish / ˈdôgˌfish/ • n. (pl. same or -fishes) 1. a small sand-colored, long-tailed bottom-dwelling shark (Scyliorhinus canicula, family Scyliorhinidae). 2. a small shark that resembles or is related to the dogfish, esp. of the families Scyliorhinidae, Squalidae, and Triakidae.

dogfish Shark found in marine waters worldwide. Generally greyish with white spots, it lacks a lower tail lobe. Eggs are laid in cases (mermaids' purses). Dogfish are divided into two groups: spiny, with a stout, sharp spine in front of each dorsal fin; and spineless, without a spine in front of the second dorsal fin. A food fish, they are sold as rock salmon. Length: spiny, 0.6–1.2m (2–4ft); spineless, 7.3m (24ft). Suborder Squalidae.

dogfish (Mustelus mustelus) See CARCHARHINIDAE; SQUALIDAE.

dogfish A cartilaginous fish, Scilliorinus caniculum, or Squalis acanthias, a small shark; sometimes called rock salmon or rock eel.