Do Dogfish Lay Eggs?

Rather than laying eggs or encasing eggs in a capsule like the little skate, spiny dogfish bear live young and can have up to six pups per litter. These fish reproduce slowly, and therefore wild populations are susceptible to over fishing.

How do dogfish reproduce?

The spiny dogfish shark reproduces via aplacental viviparity and bears live young. About 2-11 pups are in each litter, these pups are between 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) long. The gestation period is the longest of any vertebrate, about 18-24 months after a winter mating.

Do dog fish lay eggs?

They spawn in winter in offshore waters. Females have between two and 12 eggs per spawning season. The eggs are fertilized internally and, after a gestation period of 18 to 24 months, female dogfish bear live young (an average of six pups).