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Ray (Psammobatis extenta) — Arhynchobatidae

Ray

Psammobatis extenta
LC · Least Concern

The Ray (Psammobatis extenta) is a saltwater fish of the family Arhynchobatidae that grows up to 28 cm.

Length
27.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
40.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southwest Atlantic; sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The zipper sand skate is a small skate of the family Arhynchobatidae from the south-western Atlantic off southern South America. The species grows to about 28 cm and has a flat, rhomboidal pectoral disc with a short snout. It lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small crustaceans, worms and molluscs. Reproduction is oviparous, with a distinct pairing in which the partners embrace. Unlike stingrays a skate lacks a venomous tail spine; it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ray?

The Ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small, diamond-shaped cold-water skate of sandy and muddy bottoms; without a venomous tail spine.

Where does the Ray live?

The Ray lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southwest Atlantic; sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf.

How big does the Ray get?

The Ray grows to a maximum of about 28 cm.

Is the Ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Ray is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ray edible?

The Ray is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Ray verified
Scientific name
Psammobatis extenta
Family
Arhynchobatidae
Other names
Zipper sand skate verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.6 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Southwest Atlantic; sandy and muddy bottoms of the continental shelf. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, worms and molluscs 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
Small, diamond-shaped cold-water skate of sandy and muddy bottoms; without a venomous tail spine. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Psammobatis

More from the family Arhynchobatidae

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