Argus Skate

Dorsal surface pinkish brown to greyish brown with irregular clusters of small, dark, white-edged spots. Ventral surface pale, occasionally with dark patches around mouth and central disc. Dorsal fins uniform pale brown. Disc quadrangular, broader than long. Snout short to moderate. Tail of medium length, depressed, slender; lateral skin folds well developed. Nuchal thorn small. Orbital thorns usually absent from mid-eye, usually less than 5 in mature specimens. Mature males with denticles along anterolateral margin.

Oviparous (Ref. 9908). Paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449).

Found on the outer continental shelf and upper slopes. Bottom-dweller that feeds on invertebrates and bony fish.

Found on the outer continental shelf and upper slopes. Bottom-dweller which feeds on invertebrates, mainly on crustaceans such as shrimps and prawns (Ref. 114953) and bony fish (Ref. 9908). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205). Males reaches maturity at ca. 30 cm TL, females at ca. 32 cm TL (Ref. 114953).

The argus skate (Dentiraja polyommata) is a species of fish in the family Rajidae. This small, up to 38 cm (1.25 ft) long, skate is endemic to depths of 135–320 m (443–1,050 ft) in the oceans off northeast Australia. It was formerly included in Dipturus or Raja.