SPECIES

Eastern Shovelnose Ray

Aptychotrema rostrata

This member of the Guitarfish family is available wild caught. It is a bottom-dwelling marine fish found inshore to around 50m off eastern Australia between Moreton Bay in Queensland and Jervis Bay in NSW, caught mainly as bycatch of demersal trawlers but also by seine and gillnets.

DIVE DEEPER

COMMERCIAL NAME

Eastern Shovelnose Ray

Method of Capture

Region

Other names

Fiddler Shark, Guitarfish.

Scientific Family

Rhinobatidae (Guitarfishes).

Seasonality

Available year round with peaks in summer.

Size

Grows to around 10kg and 120m.

Price range

Low priced.

Alternative Species

Other Guitarfish, Lings, Rays, Sharks, Skates.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

SHOPPING TIPS

It is the tail meat that is generally eaten; it’s sold in fillet form (always skinned).Look for fillets with pale pink, firm, lustrous, moist flesh without any brown markings or oozing water and with a pleasant fresh sea smell (though the flesh of all cartilaginous fish can have a slight ammonia smell, this is normal and disappears with cooking).

STORAGE TIPS

Wrap fillets in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months below -18ºC.

COOKING TIPS

Average yield is 55% from a headless trunk. Has a mild flavour, low oiliness and moderately moist, firm flesh, which is generally boneless, although depending on the cut some cartilage, which will soften with cooking, may remain.

COOKING METHODS

Steam, poach, deep-fry, pan-fry, stir-fry, bake, grill, barbecue. The firm flesh holds together well in soups, curries and casseroles and can be cubed for kebabs.

Flavour pairings

Butter, capers, cider, lemon, lime, rosemary, sage, tomato, vinegar.

IMPORTS

None.
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