Atlantic guitarfish (Pseudobatos lentiginosus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Freckled guitarfish, Rhinobatos lentiginosus (old name)
Family
Rhinobatidae (guitarfishes)
Origin
Western Atlantic from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico and south to Brazil; shallow sand, mud and weed near reefs to 30 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
76 cm
Temperature
20–24°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no

Care

Size: It reaches about 76 cm and needs a very large, long system: it is for public-aquarium-sized systems, not home aquaria. The list suggests at least 200 US gallons (about 760 litres), preferably with no aquascaping, but the adult size makes a much larger system wiser. One of the smallest guitarfishes and uncommon in the trade. Water: 20–24 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.023–1.026. These are general marine aquarium figures for a subtropical species, not species-specific values from the sources. Keep nitrate low and oxygen high. CITES: the Wikipedia article does not mention CITES, but the family Rhinobatidae (guitarfishes) was added to CITES Appendix II in 2022 (in force 2023); confirm the current listing before selling. In Great Britain, CITES Appendix II species are Annex B under the wildlife trade regulations, so sellers must be able to show the fish was legally imported or captive-bred and keep the paperwork. Conservation: IUCN Vulnerable, with a falling population; the aquarium trade is listed among the threats. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudobatoslentiginosus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Small fish, crustaceans and molluscs, dug from the sand. Offer chopped shrimp, clam, squid and fish.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. Keep with peaceful fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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