Home · Arhynchobatidae · Shortfin sand skate
Shortfin sand skate (Psammobatis normani) — Arhynchobatidae

Shortfin sand skate

Psammobatis normani
LC · Least Concern

The Shortfin sand skate (Psammobatis normani) is a saltwater fish of the family Arhynchobatidae that grows up to 58 cm.

Length
58 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–121.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Norman's sand skate is a small skate from the southeastern Pacific and the southwestern Atlantic, ranging from Uruguay to Argentina. The species grows to about 58 cm and has a rhomboid head disc without a rostral spine, characteristic of the softnose skates. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives on soft bottoms to about 120 metres depth and feeds on small bottom animals. The species is oviparous and lays egg cases with horn-like projections. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortfin sand skate?

The Shortfin sand skate has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Shortfin sand skate live?

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

How big does the Shortfin sand skate get?

The Shortfin sand skate grows to a maximum of about 58 cm.

Is the Shortfin sand skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortfin sand skate is harmless to humans.

Is the Shortfin sand skate edible?

The Shortfin sand skate is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kortvinzandrog sourced
English name
Shortfin sand skate verified
Scientific name
Psammobatis normani
Family
Arhynchobatidae
Other names
Shortfin sand skate verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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

Same genus Psammobatis

More from the family Arhynchobatidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →