Fish Most active at dawn and dusk

Halavi's Guitarfish

Glaucostegus halavi

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A master of disguise that bridges the world between sharks and rays. Often called the 'Halavi Shark-Ray,' this critically endangered beauty is a rare treasure of the Indo-Pacific shallows.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 80–120 cm (31–47 inches), with some reaching 150 cm (59 inches); weights average 10–18 kg (22–40 lbs).

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Colors

Pale yellowish-brown to sandy-grey dorsal side with lighter margins; white or creamy-white ventral (underside).

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Key Features

Distinctive wedge-shaped snout with translucent edges
Two large, shark-like dorsal fins located behind the pelvic fins
Rows of small thorns or tubercles along the midline of the back
Flattened, ray-like body with a thick, muscular tail

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 5-8 AM, 5-9 PM

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Season Year-round, with peak sightings in warmer summer months

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Diet A bottom-dwelling carnivore that feeds on small crustaceans (crabs and shrimp), mollusks, and small teleost fish.

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Habitat Shallow coastal waters, sandy or muddy bottomed bays, estuaries, and the margins of coral reefs.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Halavi's Guitarfish Live?

Halavi's Guitarfish is native to the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific, with its core populations found throughout the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Its range extends eastward along the coasts of India and through the Persian Gulf. Interestingly, it has been recorded as a 'Lessepsian migrant' in the eastern Mediterranean, having traveled through the Suez Canal to settle in waters off the coast of Israel and Lebanon.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

8 Countries

1.1M km² Range

Critically Endangered Conservation

Egypt Saudi Arabia Oman IN India United Arab Emirates Israel Yemen Pakistan

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Halavi's Guitarfish is a benthic specialist, spending the vast majority of its life cruising along the seafloor or buried just beneath the sand. Despite their shark-like appearance, they are incredibly docile and shy, relying on their incredible camouflage to avoid detection by predators and humans alike. They are primarily solitary hunters that use a "pouncing" method to capture prey on the bottom.

These fish are most active during the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk, when they move from deeper coastal waters into very shallow flats to feed. While they are capable of fast bursts of speed when threatened, they usually glide slowly over the substrate. In areas with human activity, they tend to keep their distance, though they are frequently found in shallow estuaries and near boat docks where food sources are abundant.

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Camera Tips

Capturing Halavi's Guitarfish requires an underwater camera setup, such as an AI-powered action camera in a waterproof housing or a dedicated Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) system. For those with coastal property or access to shallow bays, place your camera at a depth of 1 to 3 meters during the incoming tide. Position the lens horizontally, roughly 15-20 centimeters off the sandy floor, facing a clear patch of substrate near a sea-grass edge or reef structure.

To attract this elusive species to your camera's field of view, use a perforated bait container filled with crushed oily fish like sardines or mackerel. The scent trail is highly effective at drawing them out from their buried positions. Because they are masters of camouflage, use high-resolution settings (4K) to help the AI distinguish their sandy outlines against the sea floor.

Lighting is crucial for identification. If filming at dawn or dusk (their peak activity times), ensure you have a wide-angle underwater video light set to a low intensity to avoid scaring them off. For the best results, leave the camera stationary for at least two hours; these fish are cautious and may take time to approach a new object in their environment. Check your footage for the tell-tale 'vibration' in the sand that indicates a guitarfish is unburying itself.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Halavi's Guitarfish.

Bowmouth Guitarfish

Much larger with a distinctively wide, rounded snout and high dorsal fins.

Common Guitarfish

Lacks the translucent snout edges and is typically found further west in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Giant Guitarfish

Grows significantly larger (up to 3 meters) and has black spots on its dorsal surface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk, though they can occasionally be seen foraging during the day in murky water.

Using a scent-based lure like a bait bag filled with crushed sardines or crustaceans is the most effective way to draw them toward an underwater camera station.

Their diet consists mainly of bottom-dwelling invertebrates including crabs, prawns, and small mollusks, as well as small fish that dwell on the seafloor.

They are found in coastal suburban areas with access to sandy bays or estuaries, but they are currently Critically Endangered and sightings are increasingly rare due to overfishing.

Look for the translucent edges on its wedge-shaped snout and the specific placement of its two dorsal fins, which sit entirely behind the pelvic fins, unlike some other guitarfish species.

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