#bowmouth

Bowmouth Guitarfish

The bowmouth guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma), also called the shark ray or mud skate, is a species of ray and the sole member of the family Rhinidae.

The bowmouth guitarfish is a heavily built fish growing to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) long and 135 kg (298 lb) in weight.

Its evolutionary affinities are not fully resolved, though it may be related to true guitarfishes and skates. This rare species occurs widely in the tropical coastal waters of the western Indo-Pacific, at depths of up to 90 m (300 ft). Highly distinctive in appearance, the bowmouth guitarfish has a wide and thick body with a rounded snout and large shark-like dorsal and tail fins.

Bowmouth Guitarfish | Rhina ancylostoma

Bowmouth Guitarfish | Rhina ancylostoma

"The bowmouth guitarfish is a very distinctive-looking ray that is found in tropical seas of the Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from East Africa to Japan and Australia. It inhabits inshore areas over muddy or sandy bottoms and coral reefs. It usually is seen swimming alone."