【明報專訊】Its name almost says it all - it has a mouth shaped like a longbow, and a body resembling a guitar! The strange creature, bowmouth guitarfish (圓犁頭鯆), may look like a cross between a shark and a ray. But then it is actually a member of the ray family. Its bizarre form is a gift that makes the fish good at both attack and defence.

text and photos: Ocean Park Hong Kong

Attack and defence

The extensive, bow-like jaws of the bowmouth guitarfish are lined with rows of strong teeth, which can crush prey effortlessly. Measuring up to 3 metres in length, its tail is longer than the body. Not only that, its large, wide pectoral fins (胸鰭), typical of rays, ensure that it is an adept swimmer.

Its flat, broad head is used like a shovel (鏟) in attack, and is well protected by thorns (刺), as is its back. The vulnerable parts such as the nostrils, mouth and gills are found on the bottom side of the head. The eyes are located on the dorsal (背部的) side, since the guitarfish detects its prey not by sight, but mostly by smell.

Preying and feeding

When it comes to feeding, the peculiar shape of the guitarfish is of much help too! Shrimps, crabs and clams are its favourite food and can be found close to the seabed. With its large head and pectoral fins, the guitarfish first traps its prey against the sea bottom. Then, it wields short, quick thrusts and places the prey right into its mouth, crushing them with its powerful teeth.

Habits and breeding

The bowmouth guitarfish is quite a loner, mostly swimming on its own. It becomes more active during the night. The eggs of this guitarfish are hatched inside the mother's body, so they are born as swimming babies!

Fished and endangered

The bowmouth guitarfish is sadly becoming rare in the oceans. Much prized for its fins by the shark fin trade, the guitarfish has been one of the victims of commercial fisheries. Adding to its plight, the fish's shallow inshore habitat is under threat and degradation.

In fact, over the past 45 years, its population has already reduced by over 80%! It is now listed as ''Critically Endangered'' in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. In order to save the extraordinary bowmouth guitarfish, it is important for us all to say no to shark fins and only consume fishes that are sustainable.

■Glossary

effortlessly (adv) 輕鬆地

adept (adj) 熟練的

loner (n) 孤獨者

plight (n) 困境

[Smarties' Power English 第265期]