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Freckled skate (Leucoraja lentiginosa) — Rajidae

Freckled skate

Leucoraja lentiginosa
Family: Rajidae

The Freckled skate (Leucoraja lentiginosa) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 44 cm.

Length
44 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
53.0–588.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The freckled skate is a skate (Rajidae) from coastal waters of the western Atlantic, off the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 44 cm and has a flattened, diamond-shaped, brown body densely scattered with fine dark freckles, and a long tail with rows of thorns. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms for worms, crustaceans and small fish; it lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freckled skate?

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

Where does the Freckled skate live?

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

How big does the Freckled skate get?

The Freckled skate grows to a maximum of about 44 cm.

Is the Freckled skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Freckled skate is harmless to humans.

Is the Freckled skate edible?

Yes, the Freckled skate is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sproetel-rog sourced
English name
Freckled skate sourced
Scientific name
Leucoraja lentiginosa
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Freckled skate; Speckled skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
44.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
53.0 verified
Max depth (m)
588.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Leucoraja

More from the family Rajidae

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