Munchkin Skate

Small skate with a very short, obtusely pointed snout, large, close-set, bulging eyes and a thick disc; tail thick and much longer than body; conspicuous light thorns make disc and tail very rough (Ref. 5578). Light grey to brownish above, with or without darker spots; young with distinctive white-barred pattern; underside white (Ref. 5578).

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

Feeds on fish, benthic and planktonic organisms (Ref. 5578).

Found on the upper slope (Ref. 5578). Feed on mysids, lightfishes, and polychaetes (Ref. 5578). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205). Caught by hake trawlers (Ref. 5578).

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