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Granulated guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) — Rhinobatidae

Granulated guitarfish

Glaucostegus granulatus
Family: Rhinobatidae

The Granulated guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Rhinobatidae that grows up to 280 cm.

Length
280 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–119.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Iraq, Kuwait and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The granulated guitarfish is a guitarfish (Glaucostegidae) from coastal waters of the northern Indian Ocean and Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 2.8 metres and has a flattened, guitar-shaped body with a pointed snout and a sturdy, shark-like tail section; the back is set with fine granules. Unlike stingrays it has no venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms and crushes molluscs, crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Granulated guitarfish?

The Granulated guitarfish has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Granulated guitarfish live?

The Granulated guitarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bahrain, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Iraq, Kuwait and others

How big does the Granulated guitarfish get?

The Granulated guitarfish grows to a maximum of about 280 cm.

Is the Granulated guitarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Granulated 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 Granulated guitarfish edible?

Yes, the Granulated guitarfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Granulated guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) — Rhinobatidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — BEDO (Thailand) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Granulated guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) — Rhinobatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Niladri Bose, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Granulated guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) — Rhinobatidae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Granulated guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) — Rhinobatidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — MÜLLER, J. & HENLE, F.G.J. (1841) (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Granulated guitarfish sourced
Scientific name
Glaucostegus granulatus
Family
Rhinobatidae
Other names
Granulated guitarfish; Granulated shovelnose ray; Granulated shovel-nose ray; Rough shovelnose ray; Sharpnose guitarfish; Slough fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
280.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
119.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Iraq, Kuwait and others 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 Glaucostegus

More from the family Rhinobatidae

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