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Ocellate spot skate (Okamejei kenojei) — Rajidae

Ocellate spot skate

Okamejei kenojei
Family: Rajidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Ocellate spot skate (Okamejei kenojei) is a saltwater fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 57 cm.

Length
57 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–230.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Pacific; soft bottoms of coastal waters.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The ocellate spot skate is a skate (Rajidae) from the northwestern Pacific. The species has a diamond-shaped, strongly flattened body with large pectoral fins and a conspicuous eyespot on each pectoral fin. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms of coastal waters and the continental shelf. As a bottom hunter it feeds on invertebrates and bony fishes. It lays eggs in horny egg cases. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous tail spine. Owing to fishing pressure it is considered vulnerable.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ocellate spot skate?

The Ocellate spot skate has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Eyespot on each pectoral fin; oviparous ray without a venomous spine, vulnerable to fishing pressure.

Where does the Ocellate spot skate live?

The Ocellate spot skate lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Pacific; soft bottoms of coastal waters.

How big does the Ocellate spot skate get?

The Ocellate spot skate grows to a maximum of about 57 cm.

Is the Ocellate spot skate dangerous to humans?

No, the Ocellate spot skate is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ocellate spot skate edible?

Yes, the Ocellate spot skate is commonly eaten.

More photos

Ocellate spot skate (Okamejei kenojei) — Rajidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Ocellate spot skate (Okamejei kenojei) — Rajidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) after-the-stars, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ocellate spot skate (Okamejei kenojei) — Rajidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Ocellate spot skate (Okamejei kenojei) — Rajidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — OpenCage.info (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ocellate spot skate verified
Scientific name
Okamejei kenojei
Family
Rajidae
Other names
Spiny rasp skate; Swarthy skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
57.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
230.0 verified
Natural range
Northwest Pacific; soft bottoms of coastal waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates and bony fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Eyespot on each pectoral fin; oviparous ray without a venomous spine, vulnerable to fishing pressure. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Okamejei

More from the family Rajidae

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