Philippine guitarfish

📖 Overview

Philippine guitarfish (Rhinobatos whitei) is a ray-finned fish of the family Rhinobatidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 72 cm. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This species is distinguished by the following set of adult characters: wedge-shaped disc with moderately concave anterior snout margin, width 31-35% TL, disc length 1.3-1.4 times width; snout length 3.0-3.4 times interspiracular distance, 3.9-5.2 times interorbital width; orbit medium-sized, 1.4-1.7 times spiracle length; notrils weakly oblique, length 1.3-1.6 times internarial distance; preoral length 6.8-7.8 times internarial distance; anterior nasal flaps which are penetrating slightly into internarial space but well separated at their insertion; posterior nasal flaps broad; spiracles large with two folds, outermost fold distinctly longer than inner fold; ridges of rostral cartilage almost parallel, converging slightly anteriorly but not constricted medially; anterior cartilage is subtriangular; distance between fifth gill slits 3.0-3.4 times in ventral head length; prebranchial sensory pore patch distinct, extending to just behind first gill slit; distinct postscapular sensory canal, with exposed lateral pores, grooved; thorn patches on supraorbit, nuchal and scapular regions, and dorsal midline rudimentary, non-conspicuous; in males, pelvic-fin inner margin longer than its base and in females subequal; interdorsal distance 2.6-3.2 times length of first dorsal-fin base; dorsal caudal margin 2.1-2.6 times preventral margin; upper jaw with ca. 65-92 tooth rows; post-synarcual centra, 173-179; nasal lamellae, 50-53; in adults dorsal surface brownish, covered with diffuse orange and dusky blotches, and indistinct pale spots; melanophores pronounced on dorsal surface, and dorsal fins largely pale anteriorly, darker posteriorly with a blackish blotch above the free rear tip when fresh .Cross section: flattened.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Philippine guitarfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Philippine guitarfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Philippine guitarfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal. Tropical; 13°N - 8°N, 120°E - 125°E

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Philippine guitarfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Philippine guitarfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

👥 Community & Contribute