African Pygmy Skate

A dwarf softnose skate with a bluntly pointed snout and very large close-set eyes; tail longer than body in adult; pectoral disc angular with rounded corners, and anterior edges more undulated in adult male than in female; large thorns around eyes, on shoulders, and in interrupted single row from back to dorsal fins (Ref. 5578). Brownish-grey above, with 6-7 crossbars on tail; underside pale with dark brown areas along the front and rear edges of disc, on snout and on underside of tail (Ref. 5578).

Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449).

Found on the upper slope (Ref. 5578). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205). Probably taken by hake trawlers (Ref. 5578).

The African dwarf skate (Neoraja stehmanni), or South African pygmy skate, is a species of fish in the family Rajidae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitat is open seas.