Spotted ray

The spotted ray or spotted skate (Raja montagui) is a species of skate in the family Rajidae.^[3][4]

Spotted ray
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Order:	Rajiformes
Family:	Rajidae
Genus:	Raja
Species:	R. montagui
Binomial name
Raja montagui Fowler, 1910
Synonyms[2]
Raia maculata Montagu, 1818

Distribution

The Spotted ray is found in the Atlantic Ocean from the Irish Sea to Morocco and in the Mediterranean as well.^[5]

Description

Photograph

Like all rays, the spotted ray has a flattened body with broad, wing-like pectoral fins. The body is sub-rhomboid. The dorsum is brown with dark spots.

Its maximum length is 80 cm (2.6 ft), making it one of the smallest skates.^[6]

Behaviour

The spotted ray buries itself in sand to ambush prey and avoid predators. It mainly feeds on crustaceans, polychaetes, teleosts and molluscs.^[7][8]

Life cycle

Spotted ray egg case

Spotted rays are oviparous with eggs laid in summer. The pups hatch fully formed, about 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long, after 5 or 6 months.^[8]

See also

• Fish of the Atlantic Ocean
• Fish of the Mediterranean Sea