Eastern shovelnose ray (Aptychotrema rostrata) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Australian shovelnose ray, Common shovelnose ray, Long-snout shovelnose ray, Banjo fish, Shovelnose shark
Family
Rhinobatidae (guitarfishes)
Origin
Endemic to eastern Australia, southern Queensland to southern New South Wales; mud and sand flats, estuaries and rocky reefs.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
100 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
Lifespan
At least 8–11 years years

Care

Size: It reaches about 100 cm and needs a very large, long system: it is for public-aquarium-sized systems, not home aquaria. The article gives up to 120 cm (commonly about 85 cm). Like other guitarfish it needs a sand bed, open swimming room and little rockwork. 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. It lives in subtropical to temperate waters, so slightly cooler water suits it. 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 Least Concern. 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/Aptychotremarostrata). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Fish, molluscs and bottom crustaceans such as shrimps, prawns and crabs, crushed with grinding teeth. Offer chopped shrimp, clam, squid and fish.

Breeding

Gives birth to 4–20 live young (13–15 cm) after about 3–5 months; mates in winter.

Compatibility and tank mates

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

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

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