| Family: |
Rhinobatidae (Guitarfishes) |
| Max. size: |
140 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; brackish; marine; depth range - 75 m |
| Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to central Natal, South Africa. Record from Madagascar is uncertain (Ref. 3919). |
| Diagnosis: |
|
| Biology: |
Found from the surf line to about 70 m depth (Ref. 5578), also reported as common in shallow waters to at least 75 m depth (Ref. 114953); also enters estuaries (Ref. 27121). Feeds on crustaceans, bivalves, polychaete worms and small bony fishes (Ref. 5578). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Males mature at ca. 59 cm TL, females at 62-65 cm TL; born at ca. 23 cm TL. Produces litters of 2-10 pups (Ref. 114953). Taken by surf anglers (Ref. 3919). Flesh highly esteemed (Ref. 3919). It is parasitised by the monogeneans Pseudoleptobothrium christisoni on the dorsal skin surface (Ref. 124055) and Neoheterocotyle robii on the gill lamellae (Ref. 124054). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 August 2019 (A2bcd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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