By Josie April 12th, 2023
During the Middle Ages, skate fish was a common food source for the poor.
Later it became popular among the wealthy in England and France.
Their flat body is wider than it is long, which is quite unusual for a fish.
This flat shape allows it to move gracefully along the ocean floor, much like a stingray.
The smallest species of skate fish is the Pygmy skate, which can be as small as 8 inches in length.
However, the largest species can reach a whole 9 feet in length.
Females tend to be larger than males, with some species having a difference of up to 50% in body size!
Skate fish prefer sandy or muddy ocean floors, where they can blend in with their surroundings.
They are often found near reefs where they can hide from predators and ambush their prey.
Skate fish are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat pretty much anything they come across.
They enjoy fish, crustaceans, and even small sharks.
Skate fish use a unique feeding behavior called suction feeding.
They create a vacuum with their mouths and suck in their food from the ocean floor.
While skate fish do have rough skin and sharp spines, they are not typically aggressive towards humans.
Head to our website to find out how this intriguing fish is usually cooked!