Fin's Fish Guide
The Longnosed skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 150 cm.
Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, on sandy and silty bottoms of the continental shelf and slope.
Description
The longnosed skate is a large, slender skate of the family Rajidae reaching a wingspan of about 1 metre and a total length up to 1.5 metres. The diamond-shaped body, formed by the pectoral fins fused to the head, stands out for a strikingly long, pointed snout; the upper side is grey-brown with dark speckles and pale spots, the underside greyish with dark pores. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and slope of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, usually between seventy and over fourteen hundred metres. On the bottom it hunts crabs, shrimps, worms and small fish. It lays eggs in horny capsules and grows slowly; due to fishing it is assessed as Near Threatened (NT).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Longnosed skate?
The Longnosed skate has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Slender ray with a conspicuously long, pointed snout; the upper side is brownish with dark speckles and pale spots.
Where does the Longnosed skate live?
The Longnosed skate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, on sandy and silty bottoms of the continental shelf and slope.
How big does the Longnosed skate get?
The Longnosed skate grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.
Is the Longnosed skate dangerous to humans?
No, the Longnosed skate is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Longnosed skate edible?
The Longnosed skate is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Longnosed skate and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Dipturus
More from the family Rajidae
Want the complete picture on the Longnosed skate?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Longnosed skate is one of 12,519 species in the app.