Rajidae

fish family

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July 13, 2026

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The Rajidae family, commonly known as skates, are a group of flat-bodied cartilaginous fish found in waters worldwide. These fish are characterized by their rounded or diamond-shaped bodies and large pectoral fins that extend from their snout to their tail. Skates have their mouths and gill openings on the underside of their bodies and are known to lay eggs, often referred to as "mermaid's purses," which are protected by leathery cases.1

Skates vary significantly in size, with some species reaching up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length. Unlike some other rays, skates do not have stinging spines on their tails. They are bottom dwellers that swim with an undulating motion of their pectoral fins and feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and other fish. Skates reproduce slowly, making them vulnerable to overfishing, and several species are considered threatened or endangered.1

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chondrichthyan
Rays
Skates (Rajidae) lie on the bottom, often partially buried, and rise in pursuit of such active prey as herring. Skates trap their victims by swimming over and then settling upon them, a practice facilitated by their habit of hunting at night.
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Skates (Rajidae) lie on the bottom, often partially buried, and rise in pursuit of such active prey as herring. Skates trap their victims by swimming over and then settling upon them, a practice facilitated by their habit of hunting at night.
Read More