Rhinobates productus

ON EXHIBIT:  Shark Island touch tank in Ocean Journey

FUN FACTS
Guitarfish are in the same class (Chondrichthyes) as sharks, rays, and ratfish and look like a cross between a shark and a skate. They are of a separate family, Rhinobatidae. Unlike rays, they do not have venomous spines. Mostly nocturnal, the guitarfish will burrow in the sand during the day and feed at night.  Guitarfish are ovoviviparous, which means their eggs develop internally and litter sizes can range from six to 28 pups.

CONSERVATION
This species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN redlist.  Gravid (pregnant) females are trawled up with gillnets in the waters of Northern Mexico.  This excessive overfishing has had a severe impact on an already low reproductive species.  While populations are closely monitored in the United States, the Mexican government is not currently supporting any legislation to reduce take of this species.