Shovel Nosed Ray in the Great Barrier Reef

Common Name: Giant Shovel Nosed Ray or Guitar Shark

Family: Chondricthyes

Scientific Name: Rhinobatos Typus

A larger species than the Australian Eastern Shovel Nosed Ray, it is a greyish brown with a broad triangular snout and pale yellow colouring around the fin margins.  Common inshore as they move on the incoming tide to feed on shellfish and thought to be able to live in freshwater, these rays have been reported to grow to at least 2.7 metres.

This species is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific waters from India to Australia and New South Wales. Commonly found along the continental or insular shelves as well as fresh water estuaries or mangrove marshes.

Giant shovelnose rays lay their eggs inshore around atolls, mangrove swamps and estuaries. This species is reported to be able to live and breed permanently in fresh water and its young are sometimes found in river mouths.

Adapted to live near the bottom, the shovelnose is excellently camouflaged with the substrate where it spends most of its time. Its body design is adapted to flat bottom lifestyle where it hunts for food, rests and hides from predators. Relying on its sense of smell and electrical reception, the ray can search for food underneath the sand.  Their main diet is comprised of molluscs and crustaceans.

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