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Javalin skate (Dipturus doutrei) — Rajidae

Javalin skate

Dipturus doutrei
Family: Rajidae
LC · Least Concern

The Javalin skate (Dipturus doutrei) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 115 cm.

Length
115 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
163.0–1200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The violet skate is a large deep-sea skate of the family Rajidae reaching about 115 cm. The diamond-shaped upper side is dark brown with irregular dark blotches; the rear of the disc and the pelvic fins are blackish, and the underside is dark brown with black pores. The tail is stout and shorter than the body, with a swollen mid-section. The species lives on the deeper slope from the eastern central Atlantic to the south-western Indian Ocean, usually between 450 and 600 m, feeding on bottom fishes, shrimps and crabs. It is oviparous, laying horny egg cases with pointed projections.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Javalin skate?

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

Where does the Javalin skate live?

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

How big does the Javalin skate get?

The Javalin skate grows to a maximum of about 115 cm.

Is the Javalin skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Javalin skate is harmless to humans.

Is the Javalin skate edible?

The Javalin skate is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Violette vleet verified
English name
Javalin skate verified
Scientific name
Dipturus doutrei
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Javelin skate; Skate; Violet skate verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
163.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1200.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
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 Dipturus

More from the family Rajidae

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