Dogfish Frisbee?

Mrs Calamity said:

Why do they curl up into a ball after they are disturbed and how long do they stay like that?

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Cos they don't like it and until after the perceived predators have left

Mrs Calamity said:

A question for the sharkies...
Went diving yesterday on the James Fennel and drifted up the west side of portland. There were tons of dogfish out quite big ones too. My buddy started playing with them.
Why do they curl up into a ball after they are disturbed and how long do they stay like that?

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It is a stress reaction, and not a very nice thing to do.

I am not going to lie, I was so excited when I first saw a dogfish I picked it up cos it was all docile and I couldn't believe it hadn't swum off when I went right up to it. I was really gentle and it didn't curl up it just swam off but I wouldn't do it now. Apparently they get docile like when it is breeding time and are really best just left alone.

Naomi S said:

I am not going to lie, I was so excited when I first saw a dogfish I picked it up cos it was all docile and I couldn't believe it hadn't swum off when I went right up to it. I was really gentle and it didn't curl up it just swam off but I wouldn't do it now. Apparently they get docile like when it is breeding time and are really best just left alone.

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like most sea life. Except sea urchins. They can be quite legitimately fed to waiting fish

Although I'll never forget what a dive guide did to an octopus when i was in Turkey. Octo =8, not 7

you can make a chain with them we find loads of them in the menai straights

I can assure you that they get very annoyed if you try to straighten them out.

I know it's naughty to handle dogfish (or any sealife), but I can't help thinking that:

i) if they didn't want to be touched they'd swim away (they have a fair turn of speed on them)
ii) if being picked up and put down by a diver is the worst thing that ever happens to them in their life, they aren't doing too badly

Having said that I would never condone playing with them (Turbs, are you listening?). However, pulling the legs off spider crabs is perfectly acceptable behaviour.