Snout and rostrum
Members of Rajidae have a stiff snout and a rostrum that is not reduced.
Species Guide
What to know about skate fish
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
Skates are cartilaginous fish belonging to the family Rajidae in the superorder Batoidea of rays. More than 150 species have been described, in 17 genera. Softnose skates and pygmy skates were previously treated as subfamilies of Rajidae (Arhynchobatinae and Gurgesiellinae), but are now considered as distinct families. Alternatively, the name "skate" is used to refer to the entire order Rajiformes (families Anacanthobatidae, Arhynchobatidae, Gurgesiellidae and Rajidae). Members of Rajidae are distinguished by a stiff snout and a rostrum that is not reduced.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Cape Town, Djerba, Costa Brava and Medes Islands and countries such as United States of America, Ireland, South Africa for divers building trips around skate fish.
Identification
How to identify skate fish
The visual markers divers can use underwater, plus the species most likely to cause confusion.
Key identification markers
Responsible Encounters
