Rhynchobatus djiddensis (Forsskål, 1775)
Giant guitarfish
Rhynchobatus djiddensis
photo by Modder, T.

Family:  Rhinidae (Wedgefishes)
Max. size:  310 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 227 kg
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 75 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: restricted to the Red Sea and the tropical western Indian Ocean to South Africa. Also reported from Persian Gulf (Ref. 68964). Apparently misidentified with closely related species in the northern and eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific (however, Ref. 5978 seems to present a reliable record from western Indonesia).
Diagnosis:  A large guitarfish with large black eyespots on the pectoral bases, a distinctive black cross between the eyes, and rows of small white spots on the upper body; snout pointed and lower caudal lobe short (Ref. 5578). Olive-green above, white below (Ref. 5578). Mouths small and contain flattened, pavement-like teeth.
Biology:  Occurs inshore and in shallow estuaries (Ref. 5578). Feeds on crabs, lobsters, bivalves, small fishes (Ref. 5578) and squids (Ref. 37816). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Takes crayfish and pilchard bait. Meat and fins sought after in Asian markets (Ref. 30573).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 03 December 2018 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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