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Bigeye skate (Okamejei meerdervoortii) — Rajidae

Bigeye skate

Okamejei meerdervoortii
Family: Rajidae

The Bigeye skate (Okamejei meerdervoortii) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 37 cm.

Length
37 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
70.0–90.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), Philippines

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Description

The Bigeye skate is a skate (Rajidae) of coastal and deeper water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 50 cm and 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 Bigeye skate?

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

Where does the Bigeye skate live?

The Bigeye skate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), Philippines

How big does the Bigeye skate get?

The Bigeye skate grows to a maximum of about 37 cm.

Is the Bigeye skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye skate is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigeye skate sourced
Scientific name
Okamejei meerdervoortii
Family
Rajidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.0 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)
70.0 verified
Max depth (m)
90.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Okamejei

More from the family Rajidae

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