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Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis) — Rajidae

Norwegian skate

Dipturus nidarosiensis
Family: Rajidae

The Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
125.0–1420.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: France, Iceland, Ireland, Mauritania, Norway, Sweden and others

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Description

The Norwegian skate is a skate (Rajidae) from the northeast Atlantic. The species grows to about 200 cm and has a flattened, diamond-shaped body with broad pectoral fins 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 Norwegian skate?

The Norwegian skate has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Norwegian skate live?

The Norwegian skate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Europe: France, Iceland, Ireland, Mauritania, Norway, Sweden and others

How big does the Norwegian skate get?

The Norwegian skate grows to a maximum of about 200 cm.

Is the Norwegian skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Norwegian 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

Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis) — Rajidae — 2
NHM (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — NHMO
Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis) — Rajidae — 3
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis) — Rajidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gonzalo Mucientes Sandoval, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis) — Rajidae — 5
Gaute Sandvik (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — nbic

Easily confused with

These species look like the Norwegian skate and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Norwegian skate sourced
Scientific name
Dipturus nidarosiensis
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Norwegian skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 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)
125.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1420.0 verified
Natural range
Europe: France, Iceland, Ireland, Mauritania, Norway, Sweden and others 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 Dipturus

More from the family Rajidae

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