Wedgefishes or sharkfin-guitarfishes are the common names for the members of the Rhynchobatinae, a subfamily for the Rhinobatidae (Guitarfishes) family. They have a wing-like pectoral disc similar to the stingrays, and sharks body. They are distinguished by their falcate shark-like shape dorsal fins, where their first dorsal fin originates above the pelvic fins.
Members of the Rhynchobatinae are found in the tropical continental seas of the eastern hemisphere. There is a single known genus and 9 species worldwide. They can be found from the seashore to a depth of at least 64 m, occurring on soft bottom in estuaries, lagoons, and enclosed and open bays. These fishes are strong but slow swimmers. They are commonly found near the bottom but often swimming well above it or near the surface. All species are live-bearing. They feed on benthic invertebrates and are inoffensive to human.
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Scientific Name: Rhynchobatus australiae Whitley, 1939 English Name: Whitespotted Wedgefish, White-spotted Shovelnose Ray, Bottlenose Wedgefish Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 澳洲尖犁头鳐 (Àozhōu jiān lí tóu yáo), 龙纹鲨 (Lóng wén shā), 犁头鲨 (Lí tóu shā), 畚鲨 (Běn shā), 笨鲨 (Bèn shā) Local Malay Name: Ikan Yu Kemejan Kia-kia, Perejang, Hiu Lontar (Indonesia), Pari-kemejan Tompok Putih Local Hokkien: Pun Sua Main Diagnostic Features: Snout distinctly bottle-shaped, constricted in front of tip. First dorsal-fin origin well behind pelvic-fin origin. Size: Maximum total length about 300 cm.  Click button below to see more species info and photo.  Scientific Name: Rhynchobatus palpebratus Compagno & Last, 2008 English Name: Eyebrow Wedgefish Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙纹鲨 (Lóng wén shā), 犁头鲨 (Lí tóu shā), 畚鲨 (Běn shā), 笨鲨 (Bèn shā) Local Malay Name: Ikan Yu Kemejan Local Hokkien: Pun Sua Main Diagnostic Features: Snout long and narrowly pointed. Black eye-brow like markings on orbital membrane. Large, sharp-edged, black ocelli on pectoral-fin bases surrounded by three to four white spots. Short rows of spots on each side that terminate beneath first dorsal fin and sometimes continue along the mid-dorsal as pale faint lines. Size: Maximum total length about 262 cm.    Scientific Name: Rhynchobatus springeri Compagno & Last, 2010 English Name: Broadnose Wedgefish Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 龙纹鲨 (Lóng wén shā), 犁头鲨 (Lí tóu shā), 畚鲨 (Běn shā), 笨鲨 (Bèn shā) Local Malay Name: Ikan Yu Kemejan Local Hokkien: Pun Sua Main Diagnostic Features: Broad wedge-shaped snout. Blackish spot near to spiracle behind eye. Black pectoral marking distinct, usually closely surrounded with 4 white spots. Anterior pectoral disc with narrow whitish margin. Size: Maximum total length about 215 cm.  
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