The Lesser Spotted Dogfish is also known as the Sandy Dogfish and the Small Spotted Catshark. It is an inshore fish that can be found in shallow waters. It is related to the Greater Spotted Dogfish and despite both of these fish having the name ‘dogfish’, they are related to the Catshark family.

The Lesser Spotted Dogfish is also called the ‘rough-hound’ fish because it has very rough skin. The skin is covered with thousands of fine teeth which have very sharp edges and point backwards. If you run your hand over this fish from head to tail, the skin would feel smooth, but if you rub your hand the other way, the skin would feel rough and very sharp and you would most probably cut your finger.

The Lesser Spotted Dogfish is quite a small fish. It is about one metre in length and weighs around three kilogrammes. The upper part of its body is a sandy grey-brown colour and the underside is a creamy white colour. This fish, like the Blue Skate, lays its eggs in pouches called ‘Mermaid Purses’. Mermaid Purses can often be found washed up on our beaches.