Common Bottlenose Wedgefish [Rhinobatos]

Description

Rhinobatos is a genus within the family Rhinidae, commonly referred to as the common bottlenose wedgefishes. This genus encompasses a diverse group of fish, known for their elongated body and snout, resembling the shape of a guitar or a bottle. They are found across various regions, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, inhabiting shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and sometimes entering freshwater environments. Common bottlenose wedgefishes are benthic feeders, preying on a mix of invertebrates and small fish by detecting them in the sand or mud with their sensitive snouts. Their unique body shape aids in camouflage and allows them to ambush prey. These fishes are subject to significant fishing pressure, both as targeted species and as bycatch, which, along with habitat destruction, poses a threat to their populations.

Species

Taxonomy