Bengal Guitarfish
Rhinobatos annandalei
Photo: Photo: (c) shaili johri, all rights reserved, uploaded by shaili johri
Overview
Rhinobatos annandalei, or Annandale's guitarfish, is a type of ray in the family Rhinobatidae. It is found in the Indian Ocean around India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and possibly the Persian Gulf. It is predominantly found in the marine waters, but also enters the brackish waters and freshwater rivers as well. It reaches a length of approximately 56 centimetres (22 in). Annandale's guitarfish are ovoviviparous fishes.
Rhinobatos annandalei faces severe population decline primarily due to intensive fishing pressure across its Indo-Pacific range. The species is particularly vulnerable to bottom trawling and gillnet fisheries that target shallow coastal waters where it feeds and reproduces. Habitat degradation from coastal development and pollution further compounds these pressures, while its slow reproductive rate limits population recovery potential.
Habitat
This guitarfish inhabits shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and sandy or muddy bottoms in the Indo-Pacific region, typically at depths less than 60 meters. It prefers areas with soft substrates where it can bury itself and hunt for benthic invertebrates and small fish.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in RHINOBATIDAE
Threatened in Bangladesh
Frequently asked questions
Why is Bengal Guitarfish classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Bengal Guitarfish live?
What are the main threats to Bengal Guitarfish?
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