Animal Profiles
Fish

Sawfish

Pristidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Sawfishes are rays with a long toothed snout. This account follows the smalltooth sawfish, whose saw-like rostrum helps it locate and capture prey in shallow coastal habitats.

Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), the representative described here.

Smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), the representative described here.

James St. John · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Pristis pectinata is the representative described here. It is associated with warm Atlantic coastal waters, including bays and estuaries. Historical range statements should not be interpreted as evidence of healthy populations throughout that area today.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Small fishes and crustaceans are important prey.

Classification

Common name
Sawfish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Pristidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Rhinopristiformes
Family
Pristidae
Source classification
Chondrichthyes

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is a ray.
  • Its snout has paired tooth-like projections.
  • It gives birth to live young.

Habitat and range

Pristis pectinata is the representative described here. It is associated with warm Atlantic coastal waters, including bays and estuaries. Historical range statements should not be interpreted as evidence of healthy populations throughout that area today.

Appearance and adaptations

The long rostrum carries paired rows of tooth-like projections. The body is ray-like but extends into a shark-like tail. This species should not be confused with the largetooth sawfish shown in many aquarium photographs.

Diet and behaviour

Small fishes and crustaceans are important prey. Rapid sideways movements of the rostrum help strike food. Females give birth to live young rather than depositing external egg cases.

Sources

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