Raja are flat-bodied, cartilaginous fish with a rhombic shapes due to their large pectoral fins extending from or near from the snouts to the bases of their tails. Their sharp snouts are produced by a cranial projection of rostral cartilage.

The thornback ray (Raja clavata), or thornback skate, is a species of ray fish in the family Rajidae. [2] The Thornback ray is found in the Atlantic coastal waters of Europe and western Africa. It is also present from South Africa to the southwestern Indian Ocean [2] and in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. [3] .

Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 1020 m (Ref. 114953). Subtropical; 70°N - 38°S, 25°W - 50°E. Eastern Atlantic and Southwest Indian Ocean: Iceland to Madagascar, including the Mediterranean Sea. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0.

The bottlenose skate is a benthic predator of bony fishes, other elasmobranchs, fish offal, crabs, shrimps, mysids, octopus, and cuttlefish. Younger, smaller fish are usually found in shallower water.

Raja are flat-bodied, cartilaginous fish with a rhombic shapes due to their large pectoral fins extending from or near from the snouts to the bases of their tails. Their sharp snouts are produced by a cranial projection of rostral cartilage.

Raja are flat-bodied, cartilaginous fish with a rhombic shapes due to their large pectoral fins extending from or near from the snouts to the bases of their tails. Their sharp snouts are produced by a cranial projection of rostral cartilage.

Feb 6, 2025 · In regions other than California, due to a reduction in landings, it appears that skates have been over fished and are suffering reduced population levels. One example, the barndoor skate (Raja laevis), is currently listed with the IUCN as vulnerable due to being severely over fished. However, population data is lacking to determine the ...

Etymology: Raja: Latin, raja, -ae = a sting ray (Raja sp.) (Ref. 45335). Marine; demersal; depth range 10 - 380 m (Ref. 6808). Temperate; 60°N - 22°N, 18°W - 24°E. Eastern Atlantic: Shetland Islands to Morocco, Rio de Oro (Western Sahara), and Madeira. Dorsal spines (total): 0; …

Feb 6, 2025 · This benthic fish is found in brackish and marine waters typically to depths of 985 feet (300 m), it is observed most commonly from 165-500 feet (50-150 m) in depth. The brown ray resides over soft bottom habitats along the coastal shelf and the uppermost slope.

May 27, 2024 · The thornback ray is a cartilaginous fish preferring to dwell on sea floors either in deeper water or along the coast. Its alternate name, the thornback skate, is more accurate given that this fish is actually a skate, not a ray.