Home · Rhinobatidae · Angel guitarfish
Angel guitarfish (Rhinobatos hynnicephalus) — Rhinobatidae

Angel guitarfish

Rhinobatos hynnicephalus
Family: Rhinobatidae

The Angel guitarfish (Rhinobatos hynnicephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Rhinobatidae that grows up to 53 cm.

Length
53 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), Viet Nam
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Angel guitarfish?

Get the app

Description

The angel guitarfish is a guitarfish (Rhinobatidae) from coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 53 cm and has a flattened, guitar-shaped forebody that merges into a powerful, shark-like tail, with a sandy back. 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 Angel guitarfish?

The Angel guitarfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Angel guitarfish live?

The Angel guitarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), Viet Nam

How big does the Angel guitarfish get?

The Angel guitarfish grows to a maximum of about 53 cm.

Is the Angel guitarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Angel guitarfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Angel guitarfish edible?

Yes, the Angel guitarfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Angel guitarfish (Rhinobatos hynnicephalus) — Rhinobatidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) 洪清漳, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angel guitarfish (Rhinobatos hynnicephalus) — Rhinobatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) castle_pendragon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angel guitarfish (Rhinobatos hynnicephalus) — Rhinobatidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) castle_pendragon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Angel guitarfish (Rhinobatos hynnicephalus) — Rhinobatidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) zgy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Angel guitarfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Angel guitarfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Angel guitarfish sourced
Scientific name
Rhinobatos hynnicephalus
Family
Rhinobatidae
Other names
Ringstreaked guitarfish; Angel fish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (South), Viet Nam sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Rhinobatos

More from the family Rhinobatidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Angel guitarfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Angel guitarfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Angel guitarfish? Get the app