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Roughskin skate (Dipturus trachyderma) — Rajidae

Roughskin skate

Dipturus trachyderma
Family: Rajidae

The Roughskin skate (Dipturus trachyderma) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 264 cm.

Length
264 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
93.0–450.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Roughskin skate is a skate (Rajidae) of coastal and deeper water of the southeast Pacific and southwest Atlantic, off South America. The species has a flattened, diamond-shaped, brown-grey body with a pointed snout and rows of thorns over the back and tail. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms for crustaceans, molluscs and small fish; it lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roughskin skate?

The Roughskin skate has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Roughskin skate live?

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

How big does the Roughskin skate get?

The Roughskin skate grows to a maximum of about 264 cm.

Is the Roughskin skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Roughskin skate is harmless to humans.

Is the Roughskin skate edible?

Yes, the Roughskin skate is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruwhuid-vleet sourced
English name
Roughskin skate sourced
Scientific name
Dipturus trachyderma
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Roughskin skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
264.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
93.0 verified
Max depth (m)
450.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Dipturus

More from the family Rajidae

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