New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

🌊 Marine Endangered 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Deep-water

Graytail skate

Bathyraja griseocauda Norman, 1937
Max Length
49 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4
Depth
94–585 m
Climate
Deep-water
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
49.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Graytail skate (Bathyraja griseocauda), first described by Norman, 1937 is a large fish in the family Arhynchobatidae (order Rajiformes). Adults typically reach 49.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 94 to 585 metres. It occurs in Deep-water waters. Diet is predominantly piscivorous, targeting other fish and larger prey. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Endangered.The species is important as a food fish and a species of conservation concern. As a member of the Arhynchobatidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.

Scientific Name
Bathyraja griseocauda
Authority
Norman, 1937
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Deep-water
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
49 cm
Depth Range
94–585 m
Trophic Level
4
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
49.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Graytail skate is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Graytail skate is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk . Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 94 - 585 m . Deep-water; 1°C - ? ; 34°S - 70°S, 77°W - 26°W Southeast Pacific and Southwest Atlantic: Uruguay (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water
Trophic Level
4±0.65

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00562 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
49cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
49.00/100
Moderate-High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4
Apex / Top predator
Climate Zone
Deep-water
Described By
Norman, 1937

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Graytail skate is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Graytail skate is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Graytail skate has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Raja griseocauda Norman 1937 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 19 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Graytail skate ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.