- This article is about the fish species. For athletic uses, see skating.
A skate is a member of a family of cartilaginous fish species. They are closely related to rays and sharks. They are carnivorous, feeding mostly on smaller fish and crustaceans.
The name 'skate' is used in Britain to describe almost any member of the ray family or Rajidae; especially the genus Raja. They have flat pectoral fins continuous with their head, two dorsal fins and a short, spineless tail.
The Common Skate, R. batis, is the largest found in British waters which has a long, pointed snout. The most common Ray in British seas is the thornback, R. clavata. They are frequently caught by trawling.
"Skate wings" are eaten by some people.
