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Size
9.8 feet (300 cm) -
Diet
Benthic crustaceans and mollusks such as shrimp, crabs, and clams -
Range
Indo-West Pacific -
Habitat
Tropical waters
Physical Characteristics
Size
- Adult can reach a length of approximately 9.8 feet (300 cm) and a maximum weight of about 298 lbs. (135 kg).
Body Composition
- Bowmouth guitarfish has a distinctive shape that resembles a cross between a shark and a ray. However it is actually a member of the ray family.
- The front of its body is flattened and wide, while the rest of its body and the large dorsal fins create a shark-like appearance.
- A broad rounded snout shows a row of spiky thorns on the bony ridges above both eyes, as well as along the back and shoulders.
- Tail is longer than the body and pectoral fins are large with a broad base typical of a ray.
Color
- Adult coloration is grayish-brown in color with white spots on the dorsal fins and darker spots on the head and shoulders.
- Juvenile is brown to bluish-grey with large white spots, partial eye-spots on the pectoral fins and black spots between the eyes.
Animal Fact
Bowmouth guitarfish look a lot like sharks, but they are actually rays! Since sharks and rays are closely related, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. An easy way to tell is by looking at the location of the gill slits – if the gills are on the side of the fish, then you’re looking at a shark. If the gills are on the underside, however, then it’s a ray!
Diet / Feeding
- Feeds primarily on benthic crustaceans and mollusks such as shrimp, crabs, and clams.
Range / Habitat
Range
- Bowmouth guitarfish occurs in the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific (including the Red Sea) from East Africa to Papua New Guinea, north to Japan and south to Australia.
Habitat
- Usually is encountered at depths from about 3 to 65 feet (1-20 m) on sandy or muddy bottoms close to shore or near coral reefs.
- This ray is usually seen swimming alone.
Reproduction & Growth
Reproduction
- Bowmouth guitarfish is ovoviviparous, meaning it produces eggs that hatch within the mother’s body and the young are born alive.
Growth
- The female usually gives birth to four young, each about 18 inches (45 cm) long.
Conservation Status
- “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- Bowmouth guitarfish is often the bycatch of shrimp fishermen who consider it to be a nuisance because its spiky head makes it difficult to handle, and can damage their nets; however, the high value of the fins creates a significant incentive to retain an accidently caught bowmouth guitarfish.
- This species is marketed commercially for human consumption in the western Pacific, though only the fins are eaten.
- Habitat destruction and pollution are thought to pose a significant threat.
- A row of large spines present above the eye, on the center of the nape and on the shoulder has a defensive function and can be used for butting.
- Its jaws are heavily ridged, with crushing teeth in undulating rows.
- Also called a “shark ray.”
Sources
- www.fishbase.org
- Reef Fish Identification. Allen, G.; Steene, R.; Humann, P. and Deloach, N., pg. 455
