- Classification
- CHONDRICHTHYES
- RAJIFORMES
- RAJIDAE
- Dentiraja
- lemprieri
Thornback Skate, Dentiraja lemprieri (Richardson 1845)

A Thornback Skate, Dentiaja lemprieri, in the Derwent River, Hobart, Tasmania. Source: Rick Stuart-Smith / Reef life Survey. License: CC by Attribution
A distinctive greyish skate with lighter and darker blotches; underside pale with a large blackish blotch on the snout tip. The Thornback Skate is the most common skate in south-eastern Australia.
Thornback Skate, Dentiraja lemprieri (Richardson 1845)
More Info
Distribution |
Endemic to continental shelf waters of south-eastern Australia, form Jervis Bay (New South Wales) to Beachport (South Australia) and around Tasmania. Lives on soft bottoms in depths to 170 m, mostly in shallow waters above 40 m. |
Features |
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Size |
To 52 cm TL |
Colour |
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Feeding |
Carnivore - feeds mostly on bottom-dwellng fishes and crustaceans. |
Biology |
Little is known of the biology of the Thornback Skate. |
Fisheries |
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Conservation |
IUCN Red List: Least Concern EPBC Act: Not listed |
Remarks |
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Similar Species |
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Etymology |
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Species Citation |
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Author |
DIanne J. Bray |
Resources |
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