A massive elasmobranch with extraordinary "saw" rostrum. Once common, now critically endangered.

Native status: Native; federally endangered

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 4–5 m typical; record 7.6 m
Weight100–350 kg; record 500 kg
LifespanWild 30–60 years
OrderRhinopristiformes
FamilyPristidae

§ Encyclopedia

The smalltooth sawfish is a species of sawfish in the family Pristidae. It is found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters in coastal and estuarine parts of the Atlantic. Reports from elsewhere are now believed to be misidentifications of other species of sawfish. It is a critically endangered species that has disappeared from much of its historical range.

Source: Wikipedia — Smalltooth sawfish Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive shark-like fish with extraordinary elongated rostrum lined with 21–34 large teeth (the "saw"); flattened body; brownish-olive coloration.

Similar species. Largetooth Sawfish (longer teeth on rostrum; different range edge). Sawsharks (much smaller; lateral barbels). Guitarfish (no saw).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish (mullet, jacks), crustaceans, small sharks — uses elongated saw rostrum to swipe through schools, stunning and impaling prey.

Behavior. Federally endangered (US population) since 2003. Once common from North Carolina to Texas; now reduced to remnant populations in southern Florida (especially Charlotte Harbor and Florida Keys). Devastated by bycatch in shrimp trawls (saw rostrum easily tangles in nets) and gill nets. Recovery plan focuses on habitat protection, bycatch reduction, and research on poorly-understood life history.

§ Range

Atlantic coastal waters

§ Habitat

Coastal marine and estuarine waters

§ Threats

Bycatch in commercial fisheries, habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the smalltooth sawfish is currently classified as Critically Endangered.

§ What helps

Support coastal habitat conservation. Reduce bycatch.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries Sawfish Recovery
  • Mote Marine Laboratory
  • Florida FWC
  • IUCN Red List 2020