Fish
Small-spotted Catshark
Scyliorhinus canicula · also called lesser spotted dogfish
On a rocky sea bed at night, a small-spotted catshark noses along the bottom, a speckled little shark that no swimmer need fear.
Overview
The small-spotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula, is a Least Concern shark of sandy, muddy, and rocky sea beds from Norway to West Africa and the Mediterranean. Its small size, speckled skin, and curly egg cases make it the shark that most beachcombers around Britain are likely to see.
The shark behind the mermaid’s purse
Many of the empty, black, leathery egg cases on European beaches were laid by catsharks, each one a tiny nursery anchored to seaweed by its tendrils.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and abundant.
Small-spotted Catshark: common questions
What is a mermaid's purse?
It is the tough, oblong egg case of a shark or ray, and the small-spotted catshark's has curly tendrils at each corner that anchor it to seaweed.
Is the small-spotted catshark dangerous?
No, it is harmless to people, though its rough skin feels like sandpaper.
Is it sold as rock salmon?
In the UK it is sometimes sold under the name rock salmon.
Where is the small-spotted catshark found?
It lives on sandy, muddy, and rocky sea beds of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from Norway to West Africa.