With a front like a ray and a back like a shark, it's easy to see where the guitarfish gets its name
This interesting creature is called a guitarfish. The body shape of this fish resembles a guitar. The front half looks like a ray, while the back half looks like a shark. When born, they measure about eight inches. Eventually, they will grow to a little over two feet long. Guitarfish are known to inhabit shallow waters, and are typically found close to shore.
I photographed this guitarfish at Coral Restoration Foundation’s Nursery just offshore of Tavernier, Florida. If you recall Wild Boyz Photography partnered with Coral Restoration Foundation back in May 2019. This particular guitarfish was a frequent visitor of the coral nursery back in 2015. We decided to name him Gibson (like the Guitar company). After all, he was a guitarfish. After a while, we learned where Gibson liked to hang out at the underwater coral nursery. He liked this one corner of the nursery particularly, and that is where I found him for this photo. As you can see, guitarfish like to bury themselves in sand.
I remember slowly approaching Gibson, so not to spook him off. I inched towards him over a period of time, until I was about a foot away. Atlantic guitarfish are pretty relaxed around divers, if you move slowly like this. I got my photo, then I gently inched back, so not to kick up sand and scare our friend Gibson. We got back to work growing coral. Gibson got back to his nap.
Did you know? Guitarfish swim in fresh, salt, and brackish waters!
Atlantic guitarfish are pretty relaxed around divers
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