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Lesser Spotted Catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula), also known as Dogfish, can be found around the coasts of the UK. They are the smaller cousin of the Greater Spotted Catsharks, or Bull Huss, that we have at Bristol Aquarium.

These sharks lay their eggs in a tiny yellow egg case informally called a mermaid’s purse. These egg cases are made out of keratin which is the same substance that our fingernails are made from. They have thin tendrils that reach out from the corners of the egg case and allow them to grip onto seaweeds and seagrasses to give them security until they are ready for hatching.

Type

Fish

What do they eat?

Crustaceans and small fish

Size

60cm

Water Type

Cold saltwater

Where are we?

North Atlantic, UK coasts

Perks of the job!

Captive Breeding

A shark eggs is also known as a mermaids purse. We collect them from the bottom of the tanks and nurture them until they grow into juvenile sharks!

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