Giant Guitarfish, Rhynchobatus laevis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Scientific name: Rhynchobatus laevis
Alternative name/s:
Sandshark, Shovelnose Shark, Smoothnose Wedgefish
I.45190-001 - Rhynchobatus laevis Click to enlarge image
Giant Guitarfish - Rhynchobatus laevis is registered into the Australian Museum Ichthyology collection. Image: Matthew Lockett
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Rhynchobatus
    Species
    laevis
    Family
    Rhynchobatidae
    Order
    Rhinobatiformes
    Class
    Chondrichthyes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia

Introduction

The fish in the video below is most likely a Giant Guitarfish. They are sometimes very difficult to identify underwater. Thank you to Dr Peter Last for his identification.

Distribution

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Edition 2. CSIRO. Pp. 644, Pl. 1-91.