Skate

Long snout, small eyes, and a thick disc; tail about as long as body; moderate-sized conspicuous light thorns in 2 prominent rows from shoulders to 1st dorsal fin, no or few mid-dorsal thorns, and no thorns on snout (Ref. 5578). Medium grey to purplish-brown dorsally, white ventrally but dusky on disc margins, around vent and on underside of tail (Ref. 5578).

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

Inhabits the upper slope (Ref. 5578). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 5578. Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205).

The smoothback skate (Rajella ravidula) is a species of fish in the family Rajidae. It is found in Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitat is open seas.