Smalltooth sawfish
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| Pristis pectinata Latham, 1794 |
The smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, is a sawfish of the family Pristidae, found in shallow subtropical waters circumglobally, between latitudes 44° N and 37° S. Its length is up to 7.6 m.
The smalltooth sawfish has a long, flat, blade-like rostrum with 24 to 32 pairs of teeth along the edges. The caudal fin is large and oblique with no lower lobe. It is an inshore and intertidal species, but may cross deep water to reach offshore islands, but also ascends rivers and can tolerate fresh water. It is commonly seen in bays, lagoons, estuaries, and river mouths, but is also found in rivers and lakes. It uses its saw to stir the bottom when feeding on bottom invertebrates and to kill pelagic fishes.
It is utilized as a food fish, the oil being used to make medicine, soap and in leather tanning. Adults are stuffed for decoration. It is reported to be aggressive towards sharks when kept in tanks.
Coloration is dark mouse grey to blackish brown above, paler along margins of fins, and white to grayish white or pale yellow below.
Reproduction is ovoviviparous.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- "Pristis pectinata". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
