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Guitarfish (Aptychotrema vincentiana) — Rhinobatidae

Guitarfish

Aptychotrema vincentiana
Family: Rhinobatidae
LC · Least Concern

The Guitarfish (Aptychotrema vincentiana) is a saltwater fish of the family Rhinobatidae that grows up to 84 cm.

Length
84 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–125.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The western shovelnose ray is a guitarfish (Rhinobatidae) endemic to western and southern Australia. The species reaches about 84 cm and has a flattened, shovel-shaped snout and a shark-like, muscular tail with two dorsal fins. It occurs near the shore and on the continental shelf, and is common on sandy beaches and seagrass beds. The diet consists mainly of decapod crustaceans and small bony fishes. The species is ovoviviparous and produces litters of up to about sixteen pups. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous spine and is harmless.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guitarfish?

The Guitarfish has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Guitarfish live?

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

How big does the Guitarfish get?

The Guitarfish grows to a maximum of about 84 cm. On average the species is around 50 cm.

Is the Guitarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Guitarfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Guitarfish edible?

The Guitarfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuidelijke gitaarrog sourced
English name
Guitarfish verified
Scientific name
Aptychotrema vincentiana
Family
Rhinobatidae
Other names
Shovelnose shark; Southern shovelnose ray; Western shovelnose ray; Yellow shovelnose ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
84.0 verified
Average length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
125.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Rhinobatidae

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