Giant guitarfish
📖 Overview
Occurs inshore and in shallow estuaries . Feeds on crabs, lobsters, bivalves, small fishes and squids . Ovoviviparous . Takes crayfish and pilchard bait. Meat and fins sought after in Asian markets .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
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 . Olive-green above, white below . Mouths small and contain flattened, pavement-like teeth.: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant guitarfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures . With 4 young, about 43-60 cm in length , born in the summer .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 75 m . Tropical; 35°N - 35°S, 22°E - 83°E South Africa.
🌿 Ecology
crabs, lobsters, bivalves, small fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Giant guitarfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 19.9 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 79 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant guitarfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Giant guitarfish · spotted guitarfish · whitespotted wedgefish |
| 🌍AFR | Reuse Sandkruiper |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | سمكة الوتد المنقط الفاتحة |
| 🇫🇷French | Poisson paille à pois · Requin raie |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | トンガリサカタザメ |
| 🌍TUR | dev gitarbaligi |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | [魚本]仔 · 及達尖犁頭鰩 · 吉打龍紋鱝 · 沙條 · 飯匙鯊 · 魴仔 · 龍文鯊 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? djeddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Raja djiddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhinchobatus djiddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhinobatus djiddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhinobatus maculata | Ehrenberg | 1829 | Synonym |
| Rhynchobatis djiddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhynchobatus djeddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhynchobatus djiddenis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhyncobatis djeddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhyncobatus djeddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rhyncobatus djiddensis | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Rynchobatus djiddensis | - | - | Synonym |
| Rynchobatus djiddensis australiae | Whitley | 1939 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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