Fin's Fish Guide
The Prickly skate (Malacoraja senta) is a brackish-water fish of the family Rajidae that grows up to 71 cm.
Northwest Atlantic; soft bottoms of deeper troughs and the outer shelf.
Description
The smooth skate is a true skate (Rajidae) from the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. The species has a flattened, diamond-shaped body with broad pectoral fins and a largely smooth skin, to which the name refers. It inhabits soft mud and clay bottoms of deeper troughs and basins, and also sand, shell and gravel bottoms of the outer shelf. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous tail spine. As a bottom predator it feeds on crustaceans, worms and small fishes. It reproduces with egg capsules. Owing to fishing it is considered vulnerable. It is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Prickly skate?
The Prickly skate has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Largely smooth skin; oviparous bottom ray without a venomous tail spine, vulnerable due to fishing.
Where does the Prickly skate live?
The Prickly skate lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Atlantic; soft bottoms of deeper troughs and the outer shelf.
How big does the Prickly skate get?
The Prickly skate grows to a maximum of about 71 cm.
Is the Prickly skate dangerous to humans?
No, the Prickly skate is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Prickly skate edible?
The Prickly skate is rarely eaten.
Want the complete picture on the Prickly skate?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Prickly skate is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Rajidae
Want the complete picture on the Prickly skate?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Prickly skate is one of 12,519 species in the app.