Giant shovelnose ray (Glaucostegus typus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Giant guitarfish, Rhinobatos typus (old name)
Family
Glaucostegidae (giant guitarfishes)
Origin
Central Indo-Pacific from India to the East China Sea, the Solomon Islands and northern Australia; shallow coasts, mangroves and estuaries to 100 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
270 cm
Temperature
24–27°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 270 cm and needs a very large, long system: it is for public-aquarium-sized systems, not home aquaria. Needs a sand bed, open swimming room and little rockwork. Water: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.023–1.026. These are general marine aquarium figures for a tropical 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 Glaucostegidae (giant guitarfishes) was added to CITES Appendix II in 2019; 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: assessed by the IUCN (2019); the category is not given in the article. 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/Glaucostegustypus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

The article does not cover diet. Like other guitarfish it eats bottom crustaceans, molluscs and fish.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe. Not suitable for home aquaria.

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

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