They are, however, established in the European and Asian culinary traditions. They can be used interchangeably, although some species are considered superior to others. Skates and rays are related to sharks. Skates live in salt water and differ from rays in certain physical and biological characteristics. Most skates have rough, thorny skin.
All rays have smooth skin.
Rays have distinct barbs or spines at the base of their tails, and skates do not. Poison glands are attached to the barbs of some species of rays. These rays, called sting rays, can inflict painful wounds. Skates are generally sluggish and less active than rays, which tend to group into larger schools and hunt for food. Skates reproduce by laying eggs enclosed in horny capsules that often wash onto beaches.