Giant guitarfish

The giant guitarfish was previously believed to range throughout a large part of the Indo-Pacific, but recent evidence has shown that it, as traditionally defined, actually was a species complex consisting of four different species.[2] In addition to the giant guitarfish, this complex includes the white-spotted guitarfish, the broadnose wedgefish and possibly the smoothnose wedgefish. With these as separate species, the giant guitarfish has a relatively restricted range: It is found only in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, and the western Indian Ocean as far south as South Africa.[1][3]

A large fish reaching up to 3.1 m (10 ft) long and weighing as much as 227 kg (500 lb).[3] It is brownish or greyish above with a variable pattern of white spots. Juveniles have a black spot above each pectoral fin, but in adults it is a dusky ring or absent. There is a dark, bar-like pattern between the eyes (on top of the head), which separates it from the other Rhynchobatus species in its range.[1]

It is a shy fish, found from 2–50 m (6.6–164.0 ft) depth, inhabiting areas with sandy sea floor. These are generally around coastal reefs or reef flats, but they will sometimes venture into the brackish waters of estuaries.[3][4]

The giant guitarfish is harmless to humans. It is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list as its population are believed to have declined significantly due to unregulated high levels of exploitation for its flesh and fins;[2] the latter for shark fin soup. Its low fecundity and presumed slow growth rate make it highly vulnerable to unsustainable exploitation.[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhynchobatus djiddensis.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhynchobatus.