BOWMOUTH GUITARFISH

Bowmouth Guitarfish

View all available Bowmouth Guitarfish Pictures in the Shark Picture Database

Common Names: Bowmouth guitarfish, bowmouthed guitarfish, Bow-mouthed angel fish, shark ray.

Latin Name: Rhina ancylostoma.

Family: Rhynchobatidae. Contains 2 genera and about 5 species. The genus Rhina is mono-specific.

Identification: Unmistakable. Broadly rounded snout. Conspicuous rows of enlarged dermal denticles forming armor-like ridges between eyes and along centre line of back. Dorsal fins large and shark-like. Well developed caudal fin. Pectoral fins more distinct than in other sharkfin guitarfish. Dorsum predominantly brown or grayish with a covering of well defined light spots from mid-line of pectoral fins to caudal fin. Spots more prominent in juveniles. Juveniles also have vaguely teardrop shaped ocelli on each side of body inline with their pectoral fins. Mostly absent in adults. Ventrum white. Teeth ridged.

Size: Maximum length 3 meters. Length at birth 45cm. Max recorded weight 135kg.

Habitat: Rocky and coral reefs, sand and mud bottoms. Intertidal to about 90m. Often close inshore 1-20m.

Abundance and distribution: A wide ranging Indo-Pacific species. The bowmouth guitarfish can be found at the western extent of its range from the Red Sea south through East Africa to as far south as South Africa. It's eastern limit extends from Japan in the north to Papua New Guinea and New South Wales.

Behavior: Generally swims near substrate over sand or reef in search of prey but it is also occasionally seen swimming high up in the water column.

Diet: Feeds mainly on bottom dwelling crustaceans and mollusks - crabs, shrimp and clams.

Reproduction: Ovoviviparous (yolk sac viviparity). litter size 4.

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable. Often caught by shrimp fishermen where its large size makes it difficult to release intact. Also occasionally caught on long-lines. Directly targeted for the flesh of its pectoral fins which are the only parts of the animal that are consumed.

Similar species: The bowmouth guitarfish's unique body shape makes it virtually impossible to confuse with other sharks or rays. It's closest relatives; the giant guitarfishes, have a reasonably similar profile when viewed from the side but exhibit the classic pointed snouts of guitarfish when viewed from above.

Reaction to divers: Difficult to approach in the wild

Diving logistics: Occasionally encountered by divers throughout its range. Images exist from encounters with this animal in the Andaman Sea and in Australia. Information on areas where bowmouth guitarfish are commonly seen would be welcome.

References and further reading:

Reef Sharks and Rays of the World. Scott W. Michael. Sea Challengers.

Sharks and Rays. Elasmobranch Guide of the World. Ralf M. Hennemann.

Fishbase.org

Other names of the Bowmouth Guitarfish:

Names may not display correctly if non-english scripts are not installed.

ळांज India Marathi, முன் உள்டவ்வா India Tamil, முன் உளுவா India Tamil, నల్ల దింది India Telugu, рыба-ангел Russian Fed Russian, साकशी India Marathi, నెల్ల దిండి India Telugu, పొట్టిల సొర India Telugu, పొట్టిల సొర India Telugu, மன்னுள்தவா India Tamil, Angelot France French, Anonan Philippines Hiligaynon, Boogbek-sandkruiper South Africa Afrikaans, Bow-mouthed angel fish, Bowmouthed guitarfish India English, Buemundet guitarfisk Denmark Danish, Cá Giống mõm tròn Viet Nam Vietnamese, Hairochen Germany German, Lanj India Marathi, Mud skate Australia English, Mun-ultava Sri Lanka Tamil, Nella-dindi India Telugu, Oolo-oolo tuurey Somalia Somali, Pottila-sora India Telugu, Pula-man uluvai Sri Lanka Tamil, Pulaman oliya Sri Lanka Sinhalese, Rejnokovec lukohubý Czech Rep Czech, Rejnokovec skvrnitý Czech Rep Czech, Rondbekkegrog Netherlands Dutch, Ronin Thailand Thai Vernacular Sakshi India Marathi, Shark ray Australia English, Shinonome sakata zame Japan Japanese, Shinonome sakatazame Japan Japanese, Shortnose mud skate USA English, Thitha mora Sri Lanka Sinhalese, Yu kemejan Malaysia Malay.

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