Fish nocturnal

White-spotted Guitarfish

Rhinobatos albomaculatus

A mesmerizing blend of shark-like power and ray-like grace, the White-spotted Guitarfish is a hidden gem of the West African coast. Its starry-patterned back provides the perfect camouflage for a life spent patrolling the sandy ocean floor.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Up to 75 cm (29.5 inches) in length; weighing between 2-4 kg (4.4-8.8 lbs).

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Colors

Olive-brown or sandy-grey dorsal surface with distinct, small white spots; creamy white or pale underside.

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Key Features

Wedge-shaped head and snout resembling a guitar body
Prominent shark-like tail with two large dorsal fins
Symmetrical white spots scattered across the upper body
Small, pavement-like teeth for crushing shells

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 10 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round; sightings increase during the peak of the tropical rainy seasons.

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Diet A specialized bottom-feeder that hunts by scent and electroreception, primarily consuming shrimp, small crabs, and benthic mollusks.

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Habitat Shallow coastal waters, sandy bays, and estuaries within the Eastern Atlantic tropical zone.

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Behavior

The White-spotted Guitarfish is a fascinating 'intermediate' species that bridges the visual gap between sharks and rays. They are primarily benthic dwellers, meaning they spend the vast majority of their time on or near the ocean floor. Their movement is a graceful combination of the side-to-side tail propulsion seen in sharks and the subtle pectoral fin undulations characteristic of rays.

During the day, they often employ a 'settling' behavior where they use their pectoral fins to stir up sand, allowing it to settle over their bodies for camouflage against predators. While they are generally solitary, they are not aggressively territorial and can be found in higher densities where crustaceans are plentiful. They are harmless to humans and are known for being quite shy, often darting away at the first sign of heavy vibration or sudden movement.

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Camera Tips

To capture the White-spotted Guitarfish, you will need an underwater trail camera or a standard camera in a specialized waterproof housing. Position your setup in shallow sandy flats or near the edges of seagrass beds at depths of 2 to 6 meters. The best angle is achieved by mounting the camera just 10–15 centimeters off the seabed, facing slightly upward. This 'low-profile' angle captures the unique wedge-shaped profile and the white spotting that gives the species its name.

Because these fish are almost exclusively nocturnal, lighting is your most critical factor. White-spotted Guitarfish have sensitive eyes; a harsh white flash will likely cause them to 'flee' the frame immediately. Use a camera with high-intensity infrared (IR) LEDs or a diffused red light source, which is less visible to marine life. If you are using a triggered trail camera, set the detection sensitivity to high, as their streamlined bodies moving slowly across the sand may not always trigger passive sensors.

Using a scent lure is the most effective way to bring a guitarfish into your camera's field of view. Place a mesh 'chum bag' filled with crushed oily fish or crab shells about one meter in front of the lens. Secure the bag to a weight so it doesn't drift. This encourages the fish to stop and forage, providing you with high-quality, still shots or long video clips of their natural feeding behavior.

Check the tides before deploying your equipment. The clearest footage is usually captured during the 'slack water' period of high tide when sediment settles and visibility is at its peak. If you are setting up in a coastal backyard lagoon, ensure your mount is heavy enough to withstand tidal currents, as a shifting camera will result in blurry footage and may spook the fish.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with White-spotted Guitarfish.

Common Guitarfish

Lacks the distinct white spotting of the White-spotted variety and typically has a more pointed, elongated snout.

Blackchin Guitarfish

Grows much larger (up to 150cm) and features a prominent black blotch on the underside of the snout.

Frequently Asked Questions

White-spotted Guitarfish are primarily nocturnal. They spend their days camouflaged in the sand and emerge after sunset to hunt for crustaceans and small fish.

The most effective method is using a scent-based lure. A mesh bag filled with crushed crab, shrimp, or oily fish placed in front of the camera will often draw them in for a closer look.

Their diet consists mostly of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, including various species of shrimp, crabs, and small mollusks, which they crush using their specialized flat teeth.

They are only found in coastal marine environments from the Gulf of Guinea to Angola. They are not found in inland suburban areas, only in saltwater habitats like sandy bays and estuaries.

Look specifically for the pattern of small, distinct white spots on their olive-brown back and their relatively small maximum size of about 75cm compared to larger cousins like the Blackchin Guitarfish.

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