Order Rhinobatiformes
Guitarfish—Family Rhinobatidae
Guitarfish—Family Rhinobatidae
Banded Guitarfish
Banded Guitarfish caught by Boyd Grant at the Goleta Pier
Banded Guitarfish caught by Boyd Grant at the Goleta Pier
Species: Zapteryx exasperara (Jordan & Gilbert), 1880): from the greek za, meaning intensive, and pteryx meaning fin (the vertical fins larger than those of skates and Latin meaning rough in reference to the spines on the back.
Alternate Names: Guitarfish, mottled guitarfish, striped guitarfish and prickly skate. Called guitarra punteada, guitarra rayada, or guitarra prieta in Mexico.
Banded Guitarfish from the Ferry Landing Pier in San Diego
Identification: Shorter and heavier than shovelnose guitarfish. They have a rather spade-shaped head with a broadly pointed nose; the wedge-shaped disk (head and pectoral fins) is about as long as it is wide. Their body is flattened but the tail is well developed with two dorsal fins on the top and a single row of thorn-like spines running along the back and tail. Their coloring is various shades of brown to dark gray with wavy dark bars on the dorsal surface while the ventral surface is pale with dark speckles.
Size: The maximum length is reported at 49.2 inches but no weight is given. The IGFA world record is listed at 14 Lb. 3 oz., a fish caught in Estero Bay, Ensedada, Mexico. No length is given on that fish but that weight seems far less than a 49-inch fish would have. Females reach a much larger size than males
Range: Scientists disagree. Some feel they are found as far south as Panama and possibly to Caleta La Cruz in Peru but some scientists feel the reports to the south are those of Zapteryx xyster, the southern banded guitarfish or witch guitarfish. All agree they are found in Mexico to at least Mazatlan. Common in most parts of the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) as well as Baja California. Uncommon in California but reported north as far as Jalama Beach in Central California. However, a small population does seem to exit in the San Diego area.
Habitat: They are demersal fish (living near the bottom) preferring rocky reef areas but also found over soft bottoms. Likes to rest in rocky crevices and caves. Found from very shallow areas to a depth of 656 feet and apparently enters shallow water to mate and give birth. When not mating the males and females appear to be highly segregated, living apart. They are primarily nocturnal, often resting during the day and becoming active at night when they forage for food. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and small fish.
Banded Guitarfish from the Ferry Landing Pier in San Diego
Piers: Uncommon at any pier although a few are taken each year. Best bets may be the Ferry Landing Pier and Embarcadero Marina Pier both in San Diego Bay.
Shoreline: Uncommon although a few are taken each year.
Boats: Rarely taken by boaters.
Bait and Tackle: Since this is one of the larger fish pier anglers will encounter, you should use at least medium saltwater tackle—twenty pound test line and size 2 to 4/0 hooks. Guitarfish will hit almost any bait but especially like ghost shrimp, other small shrimp, clams, innkeeper worms, crabs, squid and cut mackerel or anchovies. Bait should be fished as close to the bottom as possible and in shallow water, just past the breakers.
Banded Guitarfish at the Ferry Landing Pier in San Diego
Food Value: A fish often taken as by-catch by commercial fishermen in Mexico; they generally consider them as fairly poor food quality and release them or turn them into fish meal.
Comments: An uncommon or rare fish in California; consider yourself lucky if you hook and land one. Given their low numbers we recommend that you use CPR (Catch, Photograph, and Release).