African wedgefish

7/4/2018

Rhynchobatus luebberti was described in 1915. A rather large wedgefish, they are a pale grey-olive-brown color with white spots scattered on their dorsal side The edges of their fins are often a paler color, such as a lighter yellow. They have a cluster of black marks (three) on each side of a ridge on their dorsal side, which looking like triangles. Another single dark mark is near each triangle, too. The region around their eyes looks like they have a light mask - like a spy or superhero in disguise! Sadly, TFUI could not obtain a reliable photo for this animal.

The rostral ridges have a row of thorns- so don't touch! You can find them in the eastern Atlantic from the Congo to Mauritania. A benthic animal like many other wedgefish, they go down to 35 metres deep and eat small bony fish and invertebrates. Momma African wedgefish have 2-5 pups.

Reaching up to 300 metres in total length (TL), they are born at about 79-85 cm. The IUCN has assessed these animals as endangered (EN) due to fishing pressure.

EVER HEARD OF THE ANIMAL?

GLOSSARY

Dorsal side: The top of an animal.

Invertebrates: Animals with no backbone (i.e. crustaceans, jellyfish, corals, sea anemones).
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.