Shovelnose Guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus)
Half shark, half ray, the shovelnose guitarfish moves close to the sand, carving faint paths beneath the surf. Its shape is a reminder that the ocean doesn’t draw hard lines — only graceful transitions between what we think we know and what still feels mysterious.
Scientific Snapshot
Scientific Name: Rhinobatos productus
Common Names: Shovelnose guitarfish, guitar ray
Average Size: Up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length; weight up to 10 kg (22 lbs)
Habitat: Shallow sandy bays, surf zones, and kelp-edge flats
Diet: Crustaceans, worms, and small fish found along the seafloor
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Range: Eastern Pacific — from central California through the Gulf of California; common in Southern California’s nearshore shallows
From the Field
The story…