How many species of guitarfish are there?

Answer 1

Guitarfish, which make up the family Rhinobatidae, belong to the same class as sharks and rays, and are named for the guitar-like shape of their bodies. They resemble a cross between a ray and a shark, as they have a flattened body that ends in a shark-like tail. Various species of guitarfish are found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. In some countries, they are caught and sold commercially or fished for sport. These fish are not usually harmful to humans.

Rhinobatidae consists of seven genera, containing over 50 species. Most species of guitarfish reach an averege adult length of 2 to 4.5 ft (0.6 to 1.4 m). There are a few species, such as the giant guitarfish, or Rhynchobatus djiddensis, and bowmouth, also known as Rhina ancylostoma, that can reach over 10 ft (3.1 m) in length, and weigh 300 to 500 lbs (135 to 227 kg). All species have a flat, elongated head with eyes located on the top, and the mouth and gills located on the underside. There are two dorsal fins, and caudal fins that are located on the long, shark-like tail. These fish are ovoviviparous, which means that the offspring are born fully developed.

Guitarfish are bottom-dwellers, and most species are found in tropical coastal areas. Their diet generally consists of other bottom-dwelling ocean animals - mainly crustaceans and other invertebrates. They trap prey against the ocean floor, and crush the shells of invertebrates before consuming the edible portions.

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