The halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi) [1] is a part of the Glaucostegidae family. It is a species of ray found in the Indo-West Pacific (Red Sea to Gulf of Oman, with unconfirmed records in the area east of Oman).[3] Recorded twice, in 1997 and 2004, in the levantine waters, the question of its permanent settlement in the Mediterranean Sea remains open.[4] Its name is derived from the Arabic word حلاوي (halawi).[5]

Halavi guitarfish
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Rhinopristiformes
Family: Glaucostegidae
Genus: Glaucostegus
Species:
G. halavi
Binomial name
Glaucostegus halavi
(Forsskål, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Rhinobatus halavi (Forsskål , 1775)
  • Raja halavi Forsskål, 1775

They are usually large with a short, wide snout with a rounded tip. Typically they are a yellow/gray color, which can help them blend in on the sea floor. Averagely, they are born at around 29cm, but can grow to be 171cm.


It feeds on small molluscs and bony fishes.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kyne, P.M. & Jabado, R.W. (2019). "Glaucostegus halavi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T161408A124479984. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T161408A124479984.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b "Glaucostegus halavi (Forsskål, 1775): Halavi ray". FishBase. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  4. ^ Guide of Mediterranean Skates and Rays (Glaucostegus halavi). Oct. 2022. Mendez L., Bacquet A. and F. Briand. http://www.ciesm.org/Guide/skatesandrays/glaucostegus-halavi 
  5. ^ an Arabic zoological dictionary by Maj. - General Amin Malouf, M. D. 3rd edition 1985 page 203 and in Arabic معجم الحيوان للفريق امين المعلوف الطبعة الثالثة 1985 دار الرائد العربي ص 203