Common guitarfish

Biology

With a head similar to a ray and with a shark-like body, the common guitarfish inhabits sandy bottoms, from the intertidal zone up to 100 metres deep. It swims slowly over the bottom or partially buries itself and feeds on benthic invertebrates and fishes.

Conservation

This species is under intense and continuing fishing pressure, due to the high commercial value of its meat and fins.

Curiosities

This is an ovoviviparous species, giving birth to four to 10 hatches at a time, up to 30 centimetres long.