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Jensen's skate (Amblyraja jenseni) — Rajidae

Jensen's skate

Amblyraja jenseni
Family: Rajidae

The Jensen's skate (Amblyraja jenseni) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 74 cm.

Length
74.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
165.0–3000.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, Iceland, Ireland, USA

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Description

Jensen's skate is a skate (Rajidae) of the deep continental slope in the northern Atlantic. The species grows to about 70 cm and has a flattened, diamond-shaped, grey-brown 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 of the cold deep water it searches soft bottoms for crustaceans, worms and small fish; it lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jensen's skate?

The Jensen's skate has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Jensen's skate live?

The Jensen's skate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, Iceland, Ireland, USA

How big does the Jensen's skate get?

The Jensen's skate grows to a maximum of about 74 cm.

Is the Jensen's skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Jensen's 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.

More photos

Jensen's skate (Amblyraja jenseni) — Rajidae — 2
GBIF (Pingo)
Jensen's skate (Amblyraja jenseni) — Rajidae — 3
GBIF (Pingo)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Jensen's skate sourced
Scientific name
Amblyraja jenseni
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Jensen's skate; Raie de Jensen; Shorttail skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
74.2 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)
165.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3000.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Canada, Iceland, Ireland, USA 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 Amblyraja

More from the family Rajidae

Fin

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