- Mischa Lochton/Pelagic Shark Research Foundation
- Thornback at Elkhorn Slough, California
There are three species of thornbacks but only one, Platyrhinoidis triseriata, is found in California where it is a native fish, often called the. California or Pacific thornback. A thornback is a small to moderate sized, inshore fish that while distantly related to rays, is more closely related to guitarfish. For this reason the preferred common name of this species is thornback, not thornback ray. The name is derived from the sharp protective spines on the back and tail. These elasmobranchs are plentiful in southern California where they are frequently caught by both sport and commercial fishers.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
Central eastern Pacific coast from Monterey Bay, California to northern Baja California, Mexico. Most common in southern California, sometimes seen in central California, rare in northern limits of range. Scattered groups in Gulf of California.
- Amazing Facts
Thornbacks are true living fossils. They have remained almost unchanged for thousands of years.
- At the Aquarium
Our thornbacks are picky eaters. They seem to prefer shrimp and clams over fish and squid.