HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishGiant guitarfish Giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) Scientific name: Rhynchobatus djiddensis Forssk?l, 1775 The Giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Rhinobatidae. BiologyOccurs inshore and in shallow estuaries. Feeds on crabs, lobsters, bivalves, small fishes and squids. Ovoviviparous. Takes crayfish and pilchard bait. Flesh with excellent taste. Fins sought after in Asian markets.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameRhynchobatus djiddensisFamilyRhinobatidae (Guitarfishes)OrderRajiformes (Skates and Rays)ClassElasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)Maximum length310Depth range2–50 m (7–164 ft)EnvironmentMarine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 50 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Indian Ocean: restricted to the Red Sea and the tropical western Indian Ocean to South Africa. Apparently misidentified with closely related species in the northern and eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific (however, seems to present a reliable record from western Indonesia).Conservation status (IUCN)Vulnerable (VU) (A2d+3d+4d)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariumsResilienceLow, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be More other freshwater fishSouth American lungfishLepidosiren paradoxaLined soleAchirus lineatusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisFreshwater garfishXenentodon cancilaSee all other freshwater fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026