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Roughnose leg skate (Cruriraja parcomaculata) — Rajidae

Roughnose leg skate

Cruriraja parcomaculata
Family: Rajidae
LC · Least Concern

The Roughnose leg skate (Cruriraja parcomaculata) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
150.0–620.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The roughnose legskate is a small skate of the family Rajidae from the western Indian Ocean, along the southeast coast of Africa. The species reaches about 55 cm and has a flattened, diamond-shaped disc with a rough snout and thorns, and pelvic fins whose front lobe can probe the bottom like 'legs'. It lives on the upper continental slope, at depths of about 150 to 620 m, and feeds on small crustaceans, dragonets, squid and worms. The species is oviparous: it lays oblong, horny egg cases with stiff points on sandy or muddy bottoms; young sometimes follow large objects.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roughnose leg skate?

The Roughnose leg skate has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Roughnose leg skate live?

The Roughnose leg skate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Roughnose leg skate get?

The Roughnose leg skate grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Roughnose leg skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Roughnose leg skate is harmless to humans.

Is the Roughnose leg skate edible?

The Roughnose leg skate is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Driehoekige pootrog sourced
English name
Roughnose leg skate verified
Scientific name
Cruriraja parcomaculata
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Roughnose legskate; Skate; Triangular leg skate; Triangular legskate verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
150.0 verified
Max depth (m)
620.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Rajidae

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