Large-tooth sawfish
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| Pristis perotteti Müller & Henle, 1841 |
The large-tooth sawfish, Pristis microdon, is a sawfish of the family Pristidae, found in tropical waters of the north Atlantic and the central Pacific, between latitudes 32° N and 19° S. Its length is up to 6.5 m, and the maximum published weight is 591 kg.
The large-tooth sawfish has its first dorsal fin originate in advance of the origin of the pelvic fins and much more deeply concave posterior margins of the dorsal fins. It inhabits shallow water in the vicinity of the shore, and estuaries, particularly lagoons. It is generally thought to rarely descend below 10 m but have been found at 122 m in Lake Nicaragua. It tends to run farther upstream in large rivers.
Coloration is unusual. Saltwater species when fresh-caught, are either dark gray or golden brown, while freshwater species are mouse gray with reddish along the midback posterior to first dorsal fin, reddish posterior to lower part of sides, first dorsal pale yellow with reddish free rear corner, second dorsal, pelvic fins, caudal and lower sides posterior to first dorsal are dull brick red. A reddish tint is either normal or as a result of suffusion with blood below the skin.
Reproduction is ovoviviparous.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- "Pristis perotteti". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
