description Chilean skate Overview
The Chilean skate, commonly identified as Zearaja chilensis, is a large skate in the family Rajidae found in the Southeast Pacific along the Chilean coast. It is a benthic, or bottom-dwelling, cartilaginous fish with a flattened body and broad pectoral fins. Modern taxonomic work has restricted the species’ range compared with older records that included the Southwest Atlantic, and Chilean fisheries have recorded it in catches and bycatch.
help Chilean skate FAQ
What is the Chilean skate's scientific name?
The Chilean skate is commonly identified as Zearaja chilensis. It is a cartilaginous fish in the skate family Rajidae.
Where does the Chilean skate live?
It is found in the Southeast Pacific along the Chilean coast. The species is benthic, meaning it spends much of its time on or near the seafloor.
How does the Chilean skate move?
Its broad pectoral fins form a flattened disc that helps it glide over the seafloor. Like other skates, it is adapted to bottom-dwelling rather than open-water swimming.
Is Zearaja chilensis the same fish as a stingray?
No. Both are cartilaginous rays, but the Chilean skate belongs to Rajidae and is not a stingray. Skates generally have a different body form and do not use the same venomous tail spine associated with many stingrays.
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