Rarely seen Bottlenose wedgefish washes up on Casuarina beach
A rarely seen marine species, the Bottlenose wedgefish (Rhynchobatus australiae), was recently discovered stranded on Casuarina Beach in Casuarina Coastal Reserve.
This distinctive species, known for its broad, wedge-shaped snout, is a bottom-dweller and is typically found in deeper ocean waters 60 metres below the surface They feed on a variety of crustaceans (e.g. crabs and lobsters), molluscs and various bottom-dwelling fish. They don’t often wash up on beaches, making sightings extremely rare. The 1.8m animal was deceased with no sign of injury or harm.
The stranding quickly caught the interest of wildlife enthusiasts, and a team of specialists from the Museum and Art Gallery NT responded promptly to assess the situation. The team collected essential data, including taking a tissue sample for the museum’s collection. This sample will be used to deepen understanding of the species' genetic makeup and population diversity.
If you encounter injured or stranded marine wildlife, please report the incident to Marine Wildwatch on 1800453941.
