Shovelnose guitarfish facts for kids

The shovelnose guitarfish, also known as Pseudobatos productus, is a type of ray. It belongs to the family Rhinobatidae. This unique fish looks a bit like both a shark and a ray.

These guitarfish grow up slowly. They become adults when they are about seven to eight years old. At this age, male guitarfish are usually around 90 to 100 centimeters (about 35 to 39 inches) long. Females are a bit bigger, reaching about 99 centimeters (about 39 inches). They can live for up to 11 years. Fully grown males can be around 120 centimeters (about 47 inches) long, and females can grow even larger, up to 137 centimeters (about 54 inches).

You can find shovelnose guitarfish along the coast from central California all the way down to the Gulf of California. The guitarfish living in the Gulf of California are a bit different from the others. This means they have been separated for a long time. Because of this, it's very important to protect them carefully to keep all their different types healthy.

Scientists have found tiny magnetic particles in the shovelnose guitarfish's balance system. This system helps them know which way is up and how they are moving. These magnetic particles might help them sense movement or even find their way around.

The shovelnose guitarfish also has a very good visual system, which means they can see well. Their eyes are connected to many parts of their brain. This helps them process what they see. Even though they have good eyesight, their brain processes visual information in a simple way, similar to sharks.

When the shovelnose guitarfish was first discovered, some people thought it was a shark. This was because of the shape of its dorsal fins, which are on its back.

Shovelnose Guitarfish and People

Fishing for Guitarfish

People enjoy catching shovelnose guitarfish for fun. You can find them in the shallow waters along the California coast. To catch them, fishers often use bait like sand crabs, different types of bivalves (like mussels), or other live or dead bait.

Guitarfish as Food

The meat from shovelnose guitarfish is often eaten. The main parts used are the body, tail, and a section called the loin. Usually, only the adult fish are used for food. In some markets, it's even called "shark steak." It's often served fried. You might also find it in cocktails or as kebabs. In Santa Barbara, California, you can sometimes buy it as fish and chips on the piers. Dried guitarfish of all sizes are also sold in shell shops from central California down to Baja California.

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  Shovelnose guitarfish