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Broadnose skate (Bathyraja brachyurops) — Arhynchobatidae

Broadnose skate

Bathyraja brachyurops
NT · Near Threatened

The Broadnose skate (Bathyraja brachyurops) is a saltwater fish of the family Arhynchobatidae that grows up to 103 cm.

Length
103 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
81–313 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cool waters around southern South America; continental shelf and upper slope.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The broadnose skate is a skate of the family Arhynchobatidae from the cool waters around southern South America. The species grows to about 103 cm and has a flat, rhomboidal pectoral disc with a broad, rounded snout. It lives on the bottom of the continental shelf and upper slope and feeds on bottom animals such as crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes. Unlike stingrays, a skate lacks a venomous tail spine and is harmless to humans. Reproduction is oviparous: the eggs are in horny capsules with projections. The species is listed as Near Threatened (NT).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadnose skate?

The Broadnose skate has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Flat, diamond-shaped disc with a broad snout; lacks the venomous tail spine of stingrays.

Where does the Broadnose skate live?

The Broadnose skate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Cool waters around southern South America; continental shelf and upper slope.

How big does the Broadnose skate get?

The Broadnose skate grows to a maximum of about 103 cm.

Is the Broadnose skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadnose skate is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Broadnose skate edible?

Yes, the Broadnose skate is commonly eaten.

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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Broadnose skate is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Broadnose skate verified
Scientific name
Bathyraja brachyurops
Family
Arhynchobatidae
Other names
Broadnose skate; Common ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
103 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Plain
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
81 verified
Max depth (m)
313 verified
Natural range
Cool waters around southern South America; continental shelf and upper slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Flat, diamond-shaped disc with a broad snout; lacks the venomous tail spine of stingrays. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Bathyraja

More from the family Arhynchobatidae

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