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Skate Fish

With more than 17 genera and over 150 species, skate (fish) are the largest suborder of cartilaginous fish within the family Rays and Skates. Unlike other rays, which are ovoviparous and live-bearing, they lay rectangular eggs popularly called “mermaid’s purses.“ They resemble other species of rays with their flat body shape, flat pectoral fins that extend the length of their bodies, and mouths located on the underside of their bodies. They are benthic feeders that spend most of their time camouflaged on the sea floor and can be distinguished from other rays by their round to diamond-shaped shape, their pointed “noses,“ and two dorsal fins on their tails.

Divesites
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Dive sites with this animal