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Stehmann's pygmy skate (Neoraja stehmanni) — Rajidae

Stehmann's pygmy skate

Neoraja stehmanni
Family: Rajidae

The Stehmann's pygmy skate (Neoraja stehmanni) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
37.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
102.0–1025.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Stehmann's pygmy skate is a small skate (Rajidae) of the deep continental slope in the southeast Atlantic, off southern Africa. The species grows to about 40 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 depths it searches for small crustaceans and worms; it lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stehmann's pygmy skate?

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

Where does the Stehmann's pygmy skate live?

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

How big does the Stehmann's pygmy skate get?

The Stehmann's pygmy skate grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Stehmann's pygmy skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Stehmann's pygmy skate is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stehmanns dwergvleet sourced
English name
Stehmann's pygmy skate sourced
Scientific name
Neoraja stehmanni
Family
Rajidae
Other names
African pygmy skate; South African pygmy skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
37.6 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)
102.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1025.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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

More from the family Rajidae

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