27: RHINOBATIDAE (GUITARFISHES)
27.2 Rhinobatos annulatus: 52.5 em male (Algoa Bay).
Buff to dark brown above; individuals from Natal have
simple dark brown spots on disc and tail, but those from
Cape Region have ocelli consisting of a dark spot surrounded by light spots and dark rings. Attains possibly 140
cm, maturing at 59-70 cm. Known only from Cape to Natal;
Madagascar record uncertain; enters estuaries when upwelling occurs on the south coast. Restricted to surf zone in
Natal, but occurring down to 73 m south of Natal. The commonest guitarfish in southern Africa, often taken by surf
anglers; angling record 27.7 kg. Flesh highly esteemed.
27.3 Rhinobatos blochii
Muller & Henle, 1841
PLATE 4
Bluntnose guitarfish
Stompneus-sandkruiper
Rhinobatus (Syrrhina) blochii Miiller & Henle, 1841: 115, PI. 37, Fig. 1
(Cape of Good Hope). Rhinobatus blochii: Norman, 1926: 969*; Poll,
1951: 99*. Rhinobatos blochii: Smith, SFSA No. 61 (in part, not Fig. 61
= R. leucospilus).
Snout margin strongly convex behind angular snout tip; eyes slightly
larger than spiracles.
27.3 Rhinobatos blochii: (redrawn after Muller & Henle, 1841 and Norman, 1926).
27.4 Rhinobatos holcorhynchus: 44.5 em male (Natal),
130
Young have a few small white spots on dorsal surface of
disc and tail. Attains 96 cm. Known only from the Cape to
Walvis Bay; rare, more specimens wanted.
27.4 Rhinobatos holcorhynchus
Norman, 1922
Slender guitarfish
Siank sandkruiper
Rhinobatus holcorhynchus Norman, 1922: 318 (Zululand); Norman,
1926: 957*; Wallace, 1967: 18*. Rhinobatus natalensis Fowler, 1925: 195,
Fig. 1 (off Durban). Rhinobatos schlegeli (non Miiller & Henle): Smith,
SFSA No. 64*.
46-47
Teeth 40-41; precaudal vertebral counts 163-164, total counts 199-203.
Snout margin straight or slightly concave behind snout tip; eyes about
twice spiracle size.
Dark olive green above, with light area on either side of
rostral cartilage on snout, no spots on dorsum. Said to reach
127 cm. Known only from Zululand south to Port
Shepstone, in 75 -183 m; rare, more specimens wanted.
27.2 Rhinobatos annulatus: 52.5 em male (Algoa Bay).
Buff to dark brown above; individuals from Natal have
simple dark brown spots on disc and tail, but those from
Cape Region have ocelli consisting of a dark spot surrounded by light spots and dark rings. Attains possibly 140
cm, maturing at 59-70 cm. Known only from Cape to Natal;
Madagascar record uncertain; enters estuaries when upwelling occurs on the south coast. Restricted to surf zone in
Natal, but occurring down to 73 m south of Natal. The commonest guitarfish in southern Africa, often taken by surf
anglers; angling record 27.7 kg. Flesh highly esteemed.
27.3 Rhinobatos blochii
Muller & Henle, 1841
PLATE 4
Bluntnose guitarfish
Stompneus-sandkruiper
Rhinobatus (Syrrhina) blochii Miiller & Henle, 1841: 115, PI. 37, Fig. 1
(Cape of Good Hope). Rhinobatus blochii: Norman, 1926: 969*; Poll,
1951: 99*. Rhinobatos blochii: Smith, SFSA No. 61 (in part, not Fig. 61
= R. leucospilus).
Snout margin strongly convex behind angular snout tip; eyes slightly
larger than spiracles.
27.3 Rhinobatos blochii: (redrawn after Muller & Henle, 1841 and Norman, 1926).
27.4 Rhinobatos holcorhynchus: 44.5 em male (Natal),
130
Young have a few small white spots on dorsal surface of
disc and tail. Attains 96 cm. Known only from the Cape to
Walvis Bay; rare, more specimens wanted.
27.4 Rhinobatos holcorhynchus
Norman, 1922
Slender guitarfish
Siank sandkruiper
Rhinobatus holcorhynchus Norman, 1922: 318 (Zululand); Norman,
1926: 957*; Wallace, 1967: 18*. Rhinobatus natalensis Fowler, 1925: 195,
Fig. 1 (off Durban). Rhinobatos schlegeli (non Miiller & Henle): Smith,
SFSA No. 64*.
46-47
Teeth 40-41; precaudal vertebral counts 163-164, total counts 199-203.
Snout margin straight or slightly concave behind snout tip; eyes about
twice spiracle size.
Dark olive green above, with light area on either side of
rostral cartilage on snout, no spots on dorsum. Said to reach
127 cm. Known only from Zululand south to Port
Shepstone, in 75 -183 m; rare, more specimens wanted.