Thornback Ray

The Thornback ray (Raja clavata) or Thornback skate is a species of fish in the Rajidae family. The thornback ray is probably one of the commonest rays encountered by divers. Like all rays it has a flattened body with broad, wing-like pectoral fins. The body is kite-shaped with a long, thorny tail. The back is covered in numerous thorny spines, as is the underside in older females. Adult fish can grow to 1m in length although most are less than 85cm.

In sexually mature fish some of the spines are thickened with button-like bases (known as bucklers). These are particularly well developed on the tail and back of sexually mature females. The colour varies from light brown to grey with darker blotches and numerous small darker spots and yellow patches. Sometimes the yellow patches are surrounded by small dark spots. The underside is creamy-white with a greyish margin.

The thornback ray is usually found on sediment type seabeds such as mud, sand or gravel at depths between 10-60m. Juvenile fish feed on small crustaceans, particularly amphipods and bottom-living shrimps, Adults feed on crabs, shrimps and small fish.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• thornback
• ray
• stingray
• skate
• raja
• clavata
• fish
• la
• jolla
• patrick
• walsh

[budihollijr]

kool ur videos R awsum

[ScubaDubaDive]

THANKS!!!

[JackAssSquirrel]

if the ray had fingers and could talk he would say this:

.,|,. -.- .,|,. FUCK! leave me alone.

[warden9876]

I once pitted a needlefish against a thornback.

[russianwarfare1]

wen i was fishing in lock awe scotland i caught 6 of then 3 dog fish and 5 smoth hounds

[PraetorianMan]

lol I like the little crab that got scared and ran away. awesome video btw,

[snibdibbly]

doesnt the thornback ray have a human like face?

[simondancer]

The Thornback Ray of Europe is indeed Raja clavata. However the Common Skate is Dipturus batis. This fish is neither. Raja clavata is often sold as Skate by fishmongers just to confuse matters. Common Skate is quite rare.

[mmmmmarcus]

Platyrhinoidis triseriata --Thornback Guitarfish This is a common ray found here in southern california. Very tasty as well. Chironomus is correct. Raja Clavata is a skate, and not a ray.

[lookin4deepbluesea]

i may have to eat my words,its there a separate species in cali that is related to what is found in european waters,ie thornback or common skate.check out the associated vid at poole dorset.thanks friend!!

[lookin4deepbluesea]

i agree,this is not a thornback ray,you only have to look at the tail.i will try and find out what it is.

[eric01989]

definitely not a thornback