We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Aquatic

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Guitarfish?

By H.R. Childress
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 9,500
Share

Guitarfish, which make up the family Rhinobatidae, belong to the same class as sharks and rays, and are named for the guitar-like shape of their bodies. They resemble a cross between a ray and a shark, as they have a flattened body that ends in a shark-like tail. Various species of guitarfish are found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. In some countries, they are caught and sold commercially or fished for sport. These fish are not usually harmful to humans.

Rhinobatidae consists of seven genera, containing over 50 species. Most species of guitarfish reach an averege adult length of 2 to 4.5 ft (0.6 to 1.4 m). There are a few species, such as the giant guitarfish, or Rhynchobatus djiddensis, and bowmouth, also known as Rhina ancylostoma, that can reach over 10 ft (3.1 m) in length, and weigh 300 to 500 lbs (135 to 227 kg). All species have a flat, elongated head with eyes located on the top, and the mouth and gills located on the underside. There are two dorsal fins, and caudal fins that are located on the long, shark-like tail. These fish are ovoviviparous, which means that the offspring are born fully developed.

Guitarfish are bottom-dwellers, and most species are found in tropical coastal areas. Their diet generally consists of other bottom-dwelling ocean animals — mainly crustaceans and other invertebrates. They trap prey against the ocean floor, and crush the shells of invertebrates before consuming the edible portions.

In some parts of the world guitarfish are a highly sought-after, commercial species. They are particularly prized in many Asian countries, where the pectoral fins are used in shark-fin soup, and larger fins fetch a premium price. Commercial fishing also occurs off the Pacific coast of California and Mexico. Giant guitarfish are a popular species for sport fishing in southern Africa.

Two distinctive species of Rhinobatidae are the shovelnose shark and the bowmouth, or sharkfin, guitarfish. The shovelnose shark — not an actual shark, as it is a member of Rhinobatidae — is named for its shovel-like jaw and wide pectoral fins, which give the head a triangular shape. They are found in the Pacific Ocean, along the coasts of California and Mexico.

Bowmouth guitarfish are named for the unusual shape of their mouths, which are broad and wavy, with ridged teeth. The alternative name of sharkfin stems from their exceptionally tall dorsal fins. Bowmouth habitat typically covers a wide range, from South Africa to Japan to Australia.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-guitarfish.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.