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Deepsea leg skate (Notoraja tobitukai) — Arhynchobatidae

Deepsea leg skate

Notoraja tobitukai

The Deepsea leg skate (Notoraja tobitukai) is a saltwater fish of the family Arhynchobatidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–1015.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan

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Description

The deepsea leg skate is a softnose skate (Arhynchobatidae) of the deep continental slope in the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a flattened, diamond-shaped, dark-brown body with a soft, velvety skin and a thin tail with fine thorns. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller of the deep water it searches for small crustaceans and worms; it lays eggs in capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepsea leg skate?

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

Where does the Deepsea leg skate live?

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

How big does the Deepsea leg skate get?

The Deepsea leg skate grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Deepsea leg skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepsea leg 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
Deepsea leg skate sourced
Scientific name
Notoraja tobitukai
Family
Arhynchobatidae
Other names
Leadhued skate sourced

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 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)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1015.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan 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 Notoraja

More from the family Arhynchobatidae

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