The fish resembles a cross between a shark and a ray

The ocean is home to many unique creatures, from giant whales to sponges that live up to 11,000 years. Another interesting animal that needs to be mentioned is the round-snouted fingerling fish (Rhina ancylostoma). Round-snouted fingerlings have a distinctive appearance: the tail resembles a shark but the body is flat like a ray. So what species are they? In fact, they have gills on their undersides, a clear sign of a manta ray, although they are often called manta rays.

The fish’s head resembles a round snout covered with sharp bone spines. Some researchers believe that these spikes are used to headbutt attackers, although this has not been proven. Adult round snout fingerlings can reach a maximum length of 3 m. They are also called guitar fish because their fins resemble musical instruments.

The round-snouted fingerling fish feeds on crustaceans and molluscs on the seabed. They possess rows of undulating teeth that help crush the shells of their prey. Their eyes are located on the top of their heads, but the main sense they use to hunt is their sense of smell.

The habitat of these hunters in the Indo-West Pacific region is quite large, stretching from the coast of South Africa to Japan, Papua New Guinea and New South Wales in Australia. They like to live close to the seabed, above muddy or sandy areas, or on coral reefs.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the round-snouted fingerling as critically endangered. Like many other sharks and rays, they are hunted for their fins as food and are often caught by fishermen catching other species. Their spines are also used as jewelry. According to a 2023 study, people use thorns to make amulets and rings, mainly in Thailand. Their habitat is also threatened by the decline of many coral reefs and the use of explosives in fishing.