The wide range of marine habitats around our coastline means that we are lucky to have a large number of highly diverse ray and skate species. There are currently thought to be about 18 species of rays and skates found in Irish waters. These range from the relatively common Thornback ray (Raja clavata) to the enormous common skate (Dipturus batis), which can grow to over two meters in diameter.
Coastal Rays
- Thornback ray (Raja clavata)
- Spotted ray (Raja montagui)
- Blonde ray (Raja brachyura)
- Undulate ray (Raja undulata)
- Small-eyed ray (Raja microcellata)
- Cuckoo ray (Leucoraja naevus)
- Shagreen ray (Leucoraja fullonica)
- Sandy ray (Leucoraja circularis)
- Electric ray (Torpedo nobiliana)
- Common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca)
Skates
- Common skate (Dipturus batis)
- White skate (Rostroraja alba)
- Longnosed skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus)
Deep water skate
- Norwegian skate (Dipturus nidarosiensis)
- Thorny skate (Amblyraja radiate)
- Bigelow’s ray (Rajella bigelowi)
- Deepwater ray (Rajella bathyphila)
- Round ray (Rajella fyllae)
