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Freckled sand skate (Psammobatis lentiginosa) — Arhynchobatidae

Freckled sand skate

Psammobatis lentiginosa
LC · Least Concern

The Freckled sand skate (Psammobatis lentiginosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Arhynchobatidae that grows up to 49 cm.

Length
49 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
84.0–160.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southwest Atlantic
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The freckled sand skate is a small skate from the southwestern Atlantic, ranging from Rio de Janeiro to Argentina. The species grows to about 49 cm and has a rhomboid head disc with a freckled pattern. As a bottom-dweller the fish lives on soft bottoms between about 84 and 160 metres depth and feeds on small bottom animals. The species is oviparous; the egg cases have horn-like projections. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freckled sand skate?

The Freckled sand skate has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Freckle-like blotch pattern; egg cases with horn-like projections

Where does the Freckled sand skate live?

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

How big does the Freckled sand skate get?

The Freckled sand skate grows to a maximum of about 49 cm.

Is the Freckled sand skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Freckled sand 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.

Is the Freckled sand skate edible?

The Freckled sand skate is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Freckled sand skate verified
Scientific name
Psammobatis lentiginosa
Family
Arhynchobatidae
Other names
Ray verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
84.0 verified
Max depth (m)
160.0 verified
Natural range
Southwest Atlantic verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic invertebrates and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Oviparous bottom ray; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Freckle-like blotch pattern; egg cases with horn-like projections sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Psammobatis

More from the family Arhynchobatidae

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