Rhina ancylostomus

(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Vernacular names
English : Bowmouth guitarfish
French : Raie-guitare à nez rond

Classification
Class : Elasmobranchii
Order : Rhinopristiformes
Family : Rhinobatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Unmistakable, growing to at least 2,70 meters in length. Very broad rounded head with thick margins and large thorny ridges above eyes and on back. High dorsal and caudal fins. Coloration blue-grey with clear dots and black markings.

Range and habitat
This species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from the Arabian sea and South Africa to New Caledonia, north to South Japan, south to North Australia. Lives in coral reefs, sandy and muddy substrates, down to at least 90 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is declining alarmingly because of overexploitation as food because of its fins. Also regularly caught by fisheries as bycatch.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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