Spiny Dogfish

Alternative Names: Mud shark

Monterey Bay Recommendation: Best choice from US, Good alternative from Canada.

Uses in Cooking: These do well fried or poached in fish stews or curries. They hold together well when baked or broiled.

Similar Fish: Leopard shark, swordfish, thresher shark

Description: These are more oily than other sharks, but otherwise have all the same characteristics. Firm meat with tight flakes and no bones. The flavor is mild and sweet as long as they are handled properly when they are caught.

Fun Facts: If you ever dissected a shark in school, it was likely one of these. The spiny dogfish is the leading vertebrate dissection specimen of the sea, chosen for its availability and typical features, as well as its cartilaginous head which is easy to get into.