The giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis), also known as the whitespotted wedgefish, is a large species of guitarfish in the family Rhinidae. It is restricted to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and western Indian Ocean, but was formerly considered more widespread due to confusion with its relatives. Taxonomy and range The giant guitarfish was previously believed to range throughout a large part of the Indo-Pacific, but recent evidence has shown that it, as traditionally defined, actually was a species complex consisting of four different species. In addition to the giant guitarfish, this complex includes the white-spotted guitarfish, the broadnose wedgefish and possibly the smoothnose wedgefish. With these as separate species, the giant guitarfish has a relatively restricted range; it is found only in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, and the western Indian Ocean as far south as South Africa. Ranging across the western Indian Ocean, it is common to misidentify the separate species of guitarfish within a similar range. Description A large fish reaching up to long and weighing as much as , it is brownish or greyish above with a variable pattern of white spots. Juveniles have a black spot above each pectoral fin, but in adults it is a dusky ring or absent. There is a dark, bar-like pattern between the eyes (on top of the head), which separates it from the other Rhynchobatus species in its range. In addition to this, the guitarfish can also be characterized by the large black eyespots on the pectoral bases and a distinct pointed snout. The species may be confused with the distantly related common shovelnose ray, from which it differs in a smaller first dorsal fin set farther back on the body; a more rounded head with a prominent snout; a lack of upper jaw indentations; and larger skin denticles. Behavior Breeding The giant guitarfish is considered ovoviviparous, where the embryos initially feed on the yolk and then receive more nourishment from uterine fluid enriched with mucus which is obtained by means of indirect absorption. Because of their lower fecundity, the giant guitarfish are known to only produce, on average, four pups per litter during the summer. Diet The giant guitarfish feeds on bivalves, crabs, lobsters, squid and small fish. Despite not having any cutting teeth, this species is a known predator of stingrays. One specimen from the Philippines had more than 20 stingray barbs stuck in its jaw, apparently