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How to catch Cuban dogfish

Squalus cubensis Howell Rivero, 1936

About Cuban dogfish fishing

The Cuban dogfish is a small demersal shark belonging to the family Squalidae, recognised by its slender, elongated grey body, short rounded snout, and prominent venomous spines situated ahead of its two dorsal fins. Growing up to a moderate size, this deep-water species inhabits temperate and tropical marine waters along continental shelves and upper slopes, typically frequenting depths between sixty and four hundred metres where it forms large schools near the seabed. It feeds primarily on bottom-dwelling fishes and benthic invertebrates, playing a minor role in commercial fisheries while occasionally encountered by specialist deep-water anglers targeting marine dogfishes.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    75 cm TL

  • Market value

    Medium

  • Habitat

    Saltwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

  • Also known as

    Puppyshark dogfish

Cuban dogfish

Placoid Scales

Smooth textured skin texture indicates typical shark placoid dermal denticles.

Dorsal Fin Spine

Spine preceding the first dorsal fin distinguishes dogfish sharks.

Second Dorsal Fin

Small second dorsal fin with a spine is characteristic of Squalidae.

Cuban dogfish fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    75 cm TL (max 110 cm TL )

  • Typical weight

    1.2 kg (max 7.2 kg )

  • Preferred temperature

    13.6–23.7 °C

  • Depth

    60–400 m

  • Body shape

    Elongated

  • Commercial?

  • Vulnerability score

    69.3

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Peak

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Active

  • Midday

    High sun

    Active

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Active

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Peak

  • Night

    After dark

    Peak

When to fish for Cuban dogfish

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Cuban dogfish

Tips for catching Cuban dogfish

Targeting this deep-water dogfish requires heavy boat tackle capable of reaching the outer continental shelf and upper slope environments where these schooling sharks congregate near the sea floor. Because they rely heavily on scent to locate food in deep, dark waters, presentation of oily fish baits or squid strips on strong bottom rig setups is essential. Use sturdy terminal tackle with wire or heavy mono traces to withstand abrasion, and fish during calmer sea conditions when boat drift control allows precise presentation close to the bottom structure.

Other names for Cuban dogfish

Local and alternate names anglers use for Cuban dogfish.

  • Cuban dogfish
  • Puppyshark dogfish

Best equipment to catch Cuban dogfish

Compare fishing methods for Cuban dogfish — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 1.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Cuban dogfish

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

How Cuban dogfish migrates — Bathymetric

Shifts between shallow and deeper water with the seasons rather than moving along the coast. Change depth before you change venue.

How Cuban dogfish migrates — Bathymetric 1. Warm months: Feed in shallow water through the warm months. 2. Cold months: Drop into deeper water as it cools.
Shallow water Deep water

1 Warm months

Shallow water

Feed in shallow water through the warm months.

2 Cold months

Deep water

Drop into deeper water as it cools.

Larger adults often stay deeper all year.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Cuban dogfish

  • Diet

    Top predator

  • Feeds by

    Hunts animals

  • Hunts

    Dawn · Dusk · Night

  • Main prey

    Bottom prey

Prey and predators of Cuban dogfish

Prey is what Cuban dogfish eats. Predators are the animals that eat it.

That is how it feeds, and how it is hunted.

Prey

What it eats

Where Cuban dogfish lives

Lives on or just above the bottom. Work jigs, bait, and lures along the seabed.

Habitats
Saltwater
Depth zone
Sublittoral, Bathyal
60–400 m
Water column
Demersal
On or near the bed

Where this species lives