Fin's Fish Guide
The Chola guitarfish (Pseudobatos percellens) is a saltwater fish of the family Rhinobatidae that grows up to 100 cm.
Western Atlantic from the Caribbean to Brazil, over sand and silty bottoms of shallow coastal water.
Description
The Chola guitarfish is a guitarfish of the family Rhinobatidae reaching about 1 metre long. It forms a transition between shark and ray: the front is flattened and heart-shaped with a pointed, translucent snout, while the rear body is sturdy and shark-like, with two dorsal fins and a powerful tail. Unlike stingrays it lacks a venomous spine. The species lives on sand and mud bottoms of shallow coastal water from the Caribbean to Brazil, where it often lies half-buried. On the bottom it crushes crabs, shrimps, crustaceans, molluscs and small fish with flat tooth plates. Through heavy fishing and bycatch it has declined sharply and is assessed as Endangered (EN).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Chola guitarfish?
The Chola guitarfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Transitional form between shark and ray: a flattened, heart-shaped front with pointed snout merges into a sturdy, shark-like hind body with two dorsal fins.
Where does the Chola guitarfish live?
The Chola guitarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic from the Caribbean to Brazil, over sand and silty bottoms of shallow coastal water.
How big does the Chola guitarfish get?
The Chola guitarfish grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 70 cm.
Is the Chola guitarfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Chola guitarfish is harmless to humans. Unlike stingrays a guitarfish has no venomous tail spine and is harmless; the rough skin can abrade, however.
Is the Chola guitarfish edible?
Yes, the Chola guitarfish is commonly eaten.
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All data
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Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Pseudobatos
More from the family Rhinobatidae
Want the complete picture on the Chola guitarfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Chola guitarfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.