E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

Raja rhina Jordan & Gilbert, 1880
Longnose Skate
Family: Rajidae
Photo of species

© Aaron Baldwin  Email the photographer   (Photo ID #13701)

Source: Distribution of Raja rhina as compiled by Aquamaps
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Species Information

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A row of about 20 sharp mid-dorsal spines from base of tail to space between dorsal spines where there may be an additional spine; 1 or 2 mid-dorsal spines immediately behind eyes; a sparse discontinuous row of spines around inner edge of orbit (Ref. 6885). Dorsal fins small and well back on tail; caudal reduced to a low ridge; anal fin absent; pectorals broad, attached to snout and incorporated with body; pelvic fins acutely and very deeply incised (Ref. 6885). A fleshy lateral ridge on each side of tail (Ref. 6885). Dorsal surface uniform brown with a simple dark ring at the base of each pectoral fin, and there may be a light spot posterior to the ring; the ventral surface is a muddy blue with small brown flecks on the anterior part (Ref. 6885).

Source: FishBase. McEachran, J.D. and K.A Dunn. 1998 . (Ref. 27314)

Biology

Species Biology

Found partially or completely buried on sand and silty bottoms (Ref. 27436). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). Egg capsules are 9.4-13.0 cm long and 5.7-7.7 cm wide (Ref. 41249, 41300, 41357). Environment: bathydemersal; marine; depth range 25 - 675 m (Ref. 6793). Climate: deep-water; 61°N - 22°N, 165°W - 110°W

Source: FishBase. McEachran, J.D. and K.A Dunn. 1998 . (Ref. 27314)

Distribution

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Navarin Canyon in the Bering Sea and Unalaska Island, Alaska to Cedros Island, Baja California, Mexico.

Source: FishBase. McEachran, J.D. and K.A Dunn. 1998 . (Ref. 27314)

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)
COSEWIC
NativeSNRNo StatusNAR (Apr 2007)
BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

Additional Photo Sources

General References


Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2021. E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed: 2025-06-23 11:35:32 AM]
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