Aptychotrema rostrata

Eastern Shovelnose Ray at Huskisson, NSW

Identification history

	Aptychotrema rostrata	20 Mar 2019	AndrewG
	Aptychotrema rostrata	20 Mar 2019	KarenDavis

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User's notes

Approx length 1.3m swimming on the bottom at a depth of about 1.5m about 50m off the beach.

5 comments

AndrewG wrote:

20 Mar 2019

I can't see a photo??? So I can't ID. Having said that, I have photographed this species in approx this location.

KarenDavis wrote:

21 Mar 2019

Hi Andrew,
I swim at this beach in the mornings about 3 times a week and this is the first time I have seen one of these rays this big. Unfortunately I don't swim with a camera. I looked it up when I got home as I really wanted to know the correct name of it. I understand this is the adult of the smaller ones I see with the triangular head which I had been calling Skates - which I am pretty sure is incorrect. Karen

AndrewG wrote:

21 Mar 2019

OK, no worries!
It can only be one of two: A rostrata or the eastern fiddler ray Trygonorrhina fasciata. The latter is much more common. See: Coracina maxima
A rostrata has a much more pointy head and less of a pattern. See: http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1836. There's a pic of mine from near Dent Rock in the gallery.
I'll keep an eye out for a lone swimmer far out when I'm walking the dog!

KarenDavis wrote:

21 Mar 2019

I just checked your two links. It was definitely the Eastern Shovelnose Ray. I have seen many of what I call Banjo Sharks when I have been snorkelling and it wasn't one of them.
I swim with the Wobbegongs so you probably see our group swimming between our own buoys. Some of us do swim out to the yellow buoy on a Friday though.

AndrewG wrote:

21 Mar 2019

I've confirmed your 'sighting'. Maybe one day you could arm yourself with a camera!

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Location information

Coordinates 150.676560 -35.048096
Places Huskisson, NSW

Sighting information

At least 1 Abundance
5 Mar 2019 12:00 AM Recorded on
KarenDavis Recorded by
Collections
KarenDavis South Coast NatureMapr Aptychotrema rostrata Flat head/Shark body: Sawfish, Guitarfish and Wedgefish Sharks, Rays and Skates (Marine & Estuarine) Fish

Species information

Aptychotrema rostrata Scientific name
Eastern Shovelnose Ray Common name
Not Sensitive
Non-local native
Non-invasive or negligible
External link More information