| Family: |
Rajidae (Skates) |
| Max. size: |
70 cm TL (male/unsexed); 67 cm TL (female); max.weight: 1,385.0 g; max.weight: 1,685.0 g |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 80 - 800 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: Rio de Oro, Western Sahara to South Africa. |
| Diagnosis: |
A black-spotted skate with a blunt, angular snout, a long, stout tail, and a broad angular disc; strong thorns on upper surface of disc and tail at all stages, sometimes on underside in large individuals (Ref. 5578). Brown to grey dorsally, with small to large black spots, whorls and blotches; many with gold and black, traversely oblong eyespot on each pectoral base; white ventrally with no dark pores (Ref. 5578). Juveniles have no dark spots above (Ref. 2708). |
| Biology: |
Found in shallow enclosed bays and on the slope (Ref. 5578). Feeds on invertebrates, bony fishes and fish offal. Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205). Caught by shore and ski-boat anglers and by hake trawlers. Pectoral fins sold as 'skate wings' (Ref. 5578). Undergoes regular migration, towards the coast during the warm season and towards deep waters in winter (Ref. 5377). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 04 August 2020 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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