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Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) — Rhinobatidae

Halavi guitarfish

Glaucostegus halavi
Family: Rhinobatidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) is a saltwater fish of the family Rhinobatidae that grows up to 120 cm.

Length
120 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–100.0 m
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Myanmar, China, India, Indonesia, Oman and others

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Description

The Halavi guitarfish is a guitarfish (Glaucostegidae) from shallow coastal and estuarine water of the Indo-West Pacific and Red Sea. The species grows to about 1.5 metres 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. Through heavy fishing the species is critically endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Halavi guitarfish?

The Halavi guitarfish has an irregular in shape body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Halavi guitarfish live?

The Halavi guitarfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Myanmar, China, India, Indonesia, Oman and others

How big does the Halavi guitarfish get?

The Halavi guitarfish grows to a maximum of about 120 cm.

Is the Halavi guitarfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Halavi 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.

More photos

Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) — Rhinobatidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) — Rhinobatidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) — Rhinobatidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Dawn Goebbels, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) — Rhinobatidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) thai_78, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Halavi guitarfish and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Halavi guitarfish sourced
Scientific name
Glaucostegus halavi
Family
Rhinobatidae
Other names
Halavi ray; Halavis guitarfish; Halavi's guitarfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
120.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Myanmar, China, India, Indonesia, Oman 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

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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