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Bering skate (Bathyraja interrupta) — Arhynchobatidae

Bering skate

Bathyraja interrupta
LC · Least Concern

The Bering skate (Bathyraja interrupta) is a saltwater fish of the family Arhynchobatidae that grows up to 89 cm.

Length
89 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
23.0–1500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The sandpaper skate is a deepwater skate (Arhynchobatidae) from the northern Pacific off the west coast of North America. The species has a flat, rhomboid body disc with broad pectoral fins and a rough skin studded with fine thorns, to which the name refers. It inhabits the outer continental shelf on mud or sand bottoms, where it often buries itself. As a bottom predator it feeds on benthic invertebrates such as krill, crabs and worms, and on small fishes. Skates are oviparous, with horny egg cases. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bering skate?

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

Where does the Bering skate live?

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

How big does the Bering skate get?

The Bering skate grows to a maximum of about 89 cm.

Is the Bering skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Bering skate is harmless to humans.

Is the Bering skate edible?

The Bering skate is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Beringrog sourced
English name
Bering skate verified
Scientific name
Bathyraja interrupta
Family
Arhynchobatidae
Other names
Bering skate; Black skate; Sandpaper skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
89.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
23.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1500.0 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
Rarely 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 Bathyraja

More from the family Arhynchobatidae

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