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Greyspot guitarfish (Acroteriobatus leucospilus) — Rhinobatidae

Greyspot guitarfish

Acroteriobatus leucospilus
Family: Rhinobatidae

The Greyspot guitarfish (Acroteriobatus leucospilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Rhinobatidae that grows up to 57 cm.

Length
56.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The greyspot guitarfish is a guitarfish (Rhinobatidae) from coastal waters of the western Indian Ocean, off southeastern Africa. The species grows to about 57 cm and has a flattened, guitar-shaped forebody that merges into a powerful, shark-like tail, with a sandy back scattered with pale spots. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and mud bottoms for crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Greyspot guitarfish?

The Greyspot guitarfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Greyspot guitarfish live?

The Greyspot guitarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Greyspot guitarfish get?

The Greyspot guitarfish grows to a maximum of about 57 cm.

Is the Greyspot guitarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Greyspot guitarfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Greyspot guitarfish edible?

The Greyspot guitarfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witvlek-gitaarrog sourced
English name
Greyspot guitarfish sourced
Scientific name
Acroteriobatus leucospilus
Family
Rhinobatidae
Other names
Grayspot guitarfish; Grayspottted guitarfish; Greyspot guitarfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
56.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acroteriobatus

More from the family Rhinobatidae

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