Giant Guitarfish [Glaucostegus]

Description

Glaucostegus is a genus within the family Rhinidae, commonly known as the giant guitarfishes. These marine creatures exhibit a distinctive body shape that merges features of both sharks and rays, presenting a flattened body and a long, pointed snout. They are predominantly found in shallow coastal waters, including estuaries and bays, across the Indo-Pacific region. Members of this genus are benthic, meaning they spend much of their time on or near the seabed, where they prey on a variety of invertebrates and small fish. Giant guitarfishes are known for their large size, with some species reaching lengths of over 3 meters. Their conservation status is of concern due to habitat loss, bycatch, and targeted fishing for their fins and meat.

Species

Taxonomy