VU

Ranong Guitarfish

Rhinobatos ranongensis

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Rhinobatos ranongensis faces severe pressure from intensive fishing activities throughout its range in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The species is particularly vulnerable to bottom trawling and gillnet fisheries that target demersal species in shallow coastal waters. Declining catch rates reported by fishers and reduced market availability indicate significant population declines, while the species' slow reproductive rate limits its ability to recover from fishing pressure.

Threat summary

Habitat

This guitarfish inhabits shallow coastal waters of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand, typically found on sandy and muddy bottoms in depths ranging from nearshore areas to approximately 50 meters. The species prefers soft sediment habitats where it can bury itself and feed on benthic invertebrates.

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryCompliance and enforcement

Other threatened species in RHINOBATIDAE

EN

Borneo Guitarfish

Rhinobatos borneensis

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Pseudobatos planiceps

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Acroteriobatus annulatus

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Whitesnout Guitarfish

Pseudobatos leucorhynchus

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Threatened in Bangladesh

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

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EN

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Telatrygon crozieri

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Hemitrygon bennetti

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Swamp Grass-babbler

Laticilla cinerascens

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ranong Guitarfish classified as Vulnerable?
Ranong Guitarfish is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Rhinobatos ranongensis faces severe pressure from intensive fishing activities throughout its range in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The species is particularly vulnerable to bottom trawling and gillnet fisheries that target demersal species in shallow coastal waters. Declining catch rates reported by fishers and reduced market availability indicate significant population declines, while the species' slow reproductive rate limits its ability to recover from fishing pressure.
Where does Ranong Guitarfish live?
Ranong Guitarfish occurs in Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma), and Sri Lanka. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ranong Guitarfish?
The main threats to Ranong Guitarfish are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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