Starry Skate, Prickly Skate
Raja Estrellada
(Raja stellulata)

Starry Skate, Raja stellulata: The Starry Skate is normally tan to grey brown in color with a series of dark spots covering its disc. There are generally two eyespots with yellow centers and brownish rings on the back.

The Starry Skate has a characteristic long row of sharp spines along the mid-dorsal line from a point behind the eyes to the first dorsal fin and a single spine between the two dorsal fins. The inside of the eye orbit is lined with spines, as is the forward edge of each pectoral fin, and there are also large spines on the shoulder girdle. The dorsal fins are well back on the tail.

The Starry Skate has no anal fins and only a small caudal fin. The pectoral fins are broad with rounded tips. The edges between the snout and the pectoral fins are convex. The pelvic fins are large and deeply notched. The body is not well separated from the head or the pectoral fins.

The Pacific Starry Skate is a member of the Rajidae or Skate Family and Raja Genus. Globally there are more than 200 species from 18 genera of the Rajidae Family of which 32 are from the Raja Genus of which 5 are found in Eastern Tropical Pacific Waters. The skates have rhomboid shapes, dentricles or spines present on the body, and very small caudal fins. Members of the Raja Genus have discs with front margins that are either straight or convex, non-elongated snouts, pelvic fins with two distinct lobes, two small dorsal fins at the rear of the tail, and no tail fin. The upper surface of the disc is free of dentricles, but they are present on the rear border and on the ventral side. Overall the skates have a tan coloration with one or more rows of thorns. Most species of this family are bottom dwellers, found in shallow coastal waters. They feed on buried mollusks and crustaceans. The skates are less hazardous to humans than stingrays because they lack the long tails with a venomous spines, but they do have sharp spikes.

The Starry Skate reaches a maximum size of just over 2.5 feet in length and a similar width. It is found between 60 and 2,400 feet deep in the water column over sandy and mud bottoms. It stirs the bottom with its pectoral fins in order to dislodge small crustaceans, small fish, mussels, and worms, on which it feeds.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

The Starry Skate is a "cold water" species and in Mexican fishing waters is found only along the Pacific side of Baja California north of Guerrero Negro. The Starry Skate is sought by large fish, sharks, and humans. It is sold commercially at high prices.

Starry Skate picture

Starry Skate, Raja stellulata: Caught while fishing from the beach at San Quintin, Baja California, Mexico, 25 inches wide, squid bait, 12-pound line: "The only one I ever caught. It took me several months to find the name of this species." Description and photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.

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