Sawfishes
Sawfishes are the members of the Pristidae family. They are related to sharks and stingrays. They are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. They are easily recognized by their long saw-like extension called a rostrum which is elongated into a long flat blade with teeth of uniform size deeply embedded on each side. Five small gill slits on underside of front half of pectoral-fin bases, not visible in lateral view (side view) distinguished them from another almost similar family, the sawsharks (Pristiophoridae).
Sawfishes are slow but strong-swimming bottom-dwellers. They are found on soft mud or sandy bottoms, in warm-temperate to tropical shallow, inshore continental waters, often in muddy enclosed bays, in estuaries, off river mouths, and off large continental islands, and in fresh water in rivers and lakes. They feed mainly on invertebrates and small schooling fishes. They use their rostrum to find prey as their eyesight is poor. The sharply-toothed saw are swung at their prey, stunning or killing they prey which they then devour.
There are 2 genera and about 4 valid species worldwide.
Sawfishes are slow but strong-swimming bottom-dwellers. They are found on soft mud or sandy bottoms, in warm-temperate to tropical shallow, inshore continental waters, often in muddy enclosed bays, in estuaries, off river mouths, and off large continental islands, and in fresh water in rivers and lakes. They feed mainly on invertebrates and small schooling fishes. They use their rostrum to find prey as their eyesight is poor. The sharply-toothed saw are swung at their prey, stunning or killing they prey which they then devour.
There are 2 genera and about 4 valid species worldwide.
Scientific Name: Pristis microdon Latham, 1794
Synonym: Pristis pristis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. perotteti Müller & Henle, 1841
English Name: Largetooth Sawfish, Common Sawfish, Freshwater Sawfish
Mandarin Name | 鱼类中文名: 小齿锯鳐 (Xiǎo chǐ jù yáo)
Local Malay Name: Ikan Yu Gergaji, Yu Parang, Yu Beroi, Yu Todak, Pari-gergaji Seragam
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉนากยักษ์ (Plā c̄hnāk yạks̄)
Local Hokkien: Kan Sua
Main Identification Features: First dorsal fin mostly in front of pelvic fins. 14-22 very large teeth on each side. Caudal fin without a subterminal notch but with a short ventral lobe.
Size: Maximum total length 700 cm, commonly to 500 cm. Weight up to 600 kg. Size at birth 72 to 90 cm. Mature at about 300 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal, estuarine, and fresh waters, usually less than 10 m depth. Feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.
Remarks: Critically Endangered.
Synonym: Pristis pristis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. perotteti Müller & Henle, 1841
English Name: Largetooth Sawfish, Common Sawfish, Freshwater Sawfish
Mandarin Name | 鱼类中文名: 小齿锯鳐 (Xiǎo chǐ jù yáo)
Local Malay Name: Ikan Yu Gergaji, Yu Parang, Yu Beroi, Yu Todak, Pari-gergaji Seragam
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉนากยักษ์ (Plā c̄hnāk yạks̄)
Local Hokkien: Kan Sua
Main Identification Features: First dorsal fin mostly in front of pelvic fins. 14-22 very large teeth on each side. Caudal fin without a subterminal notch but with a short ventral lobe.
Size: Maximum total length 700 cm, commonly to 500 cm. Weight up to 600 kg. Size at birth 72 to 90 cm. Mature at about 300 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal, estuarine, and fresh waters, usually less than 10 m depth. Feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and cephalopods.
Remarks: Critically Endangered.
