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La Plata skate (Atlantoraja platana) — Arhynchobatidae

La Plata skate

Atlantoraja platana
EN · Endangered

The La Plata skate (Atlantoraja platana) is a saltwater fish of the family Arhynchobatidae that grows up to 82 cm.

Length
81.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
19.0–181.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The La Plata skate is a skate (Arhynchobatidae) from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The species has a flat, diamond-shaped body disc with thorny denticles and a long tail; it lacks a venomous spine. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms of the continental shelf. As a bottom hunter it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes. It lays eggs in horny egg cases. Through fishing it is endangered. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the La Plata skate?

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

Where does the La Plata skate live?

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

How big does the La Plata skate get?

The La Plata skate grows to a maximum of about 82 cm. On average the species is around 27 cm.

Is the La Plata skate dangerous to humans?

No, the La Plata skate is harmless to humans.

Is the La Plata skate edible?

Yes, the La Plata skate is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Argentijnse rog sourced
English name
La Plata skate verified
Scientific name
Atlantoraja platana
Family
Arhynchobatidae
Other names
Ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
81.6 verified
Average length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
19.0 verified
Max depth (m)
181.0 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
Commonly 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 Atlantoraja

More from the family Arhynchobatidae

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