Common Guitarfish

Common Name: Common guitarfish

Scientific Name: Rhinobatos rhinobatos

Diet: Crustaceans and small fish

Range: Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea

Size: 3 to 6 feet, 30 to 60 lbs

Lifespan: 15 to 25 years

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Critically Endangered

Overview

The common guitarfish is a cartilaginous fish, like other sharks and rays. Guitarfish have physical characteristics of both sharks and rays with a long tubular tapering body and a wide flattened pectoral disc at the head. This gives the animal its unique “guitar-like” appearance. Their rich brown dorsal coloration helps them to blend in perfectly with muddy substrate on the bottom of the sea and inshore areas.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat

The common guitarfish is found in the Eastern Atlantic from France to Angola as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. While once prevalent along most of the coastal Mediterranean Sea, the guitarfish is now found primarily along the southern and eastern coasts. The common guitarfish live on the sea floor in shallow coastal areas with sandy, muddy, or shelly areas. It can be found at a variety of depths from intertidal zones down to 330 feet.

Diet

Common guitarfish will prey upon shrimp, fish, crabs, and other benthic invertebrates. Guitarfish use their pointed snout to pin their prey against the sea floor and create a strong suction to pull the food into their mouth.

Fun Facts

- Common guitarfish will partially bury themselves in sand and mud to ambush their prey.
- Common guitarfish have flattened molariform teeth to crush and grind their prey.
- Common guitarfish are ovoviviparous, with eggs developing inside of the female feeding on yolk before hatching inside of the female and continuing to receive nutrition through absorption of uterine milk.