Shovelnose guitarfish (Pseudobatos productus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Rhinobatos productus (old name)
Family
Rhinobatidae (guitarfishes)
Origin
Eastern Pacific from San Francisco to Guerrero, Mexico, and the Gulf of California; shallow bays, estuaries and seagrass.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
119 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
Up to 11 years years

Care

Size: It reaches about 119 cm and needs a very large, long system: it is for public-aquarium-sized systems, not home aquaria. The list suggests at least 825 US gallons (about 3,100 litres) with a 7 cm sand bed and no rockwork; the list says it can live 8–10 years in captivity. Water: the article says it prefers about 20–24.5 °C. pH 8.1–8.4 and SG 1.023–1.026 are general marine guidance. Behaviour: buries itself in sand and is most active at night and early morning. Guitarfish have no venomous spine. 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 Near Threatened. 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/Pseudobatosproductus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly crabs and shrimps, plus worms, molluscs, squid and small fish. It ambushes from the sand and is poor at catching fast prey. Offer chopped shrimp, squid and fish.

Breeding

Gives birth to about five (up to 10) live young after about 12 months. Matures at around 7–8 years.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe: eats crabs, shrimps and small fish. Only for large systems with peaceful fish.

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

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