The sawfish, scientifically known as Pristiformes, is a species related to sharks and rays. Recorded sizes show that this species can grow between 5 to 7 meters in length and typically weighs around 500 to 600 kg. They have a long lifespan, grow slowly, mature late, and have low reproductive rates.
This group of fish resembles rays, characterized by a long, cartilaginous snout extending from the rostrum. They have survived since the Cretaceous period and can be found in saline waters as well as in rivers, canals, and estuaries. They can reach lengths of up to 7 meters, with their “saw” serving as both a weapon and a sensory organ to detect prey. Sawfish can become extremely dangerous if provoked.
Sawfish inhabit shallow and muddy waters and can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments. All species of sawfish can move between freshwater and saltwater areas.
The most distinctive feature of the sawfish is its long saw-shaped snout.
The most distinctive feature of the sawfish is its long saw-shaped snout. This snout is covered with sensitive pores that allow the sawfish to detect the movement of prey hidden beneath the seabed. Simultaneously, it also serves as a digging tool to search for crustaceans and as a means of self-defense against human hunters and predators like sharks. The protruding “teeth” from the snout are not actual teeth but modified tooth-like structures known as “denticles.”
Their mouth and nostrils are located on the underside, similar to rays.
The body and head of the sawfish are flat, and they spend most of their time lying on the seabed. Their mouth and nostrils are located on the underside, like those of rays. The mouth is lined with small, arched teeth to eat small fish and crustaceans. Sawfish breathe through two spiracles located behind their eyes. Their skin is covered with tiny dermal denticles, giving it a rough texture. Sawfish are typically light gray or brown, while the small-toothed sawfish (Pristis pectinata) has an olive color.
Sawfish breathe through two spiracles located behind their eyes.
Like other elasmobranchs, sawfish lack a swim bladder and control their buoyancy with a large liver filled with oil. Their skeletons are made of cartilage. The eyes of sawfish are underdeveloped due to their muddy habitat. The main sensory apparatus of sawfish is their snout. Their intestines are shaped like a corkscrew, known as a spiral valve.
The main sensory apparatus of sawfish is their snout.
Mr. Muhammad Moazzam Khan, Technical Advisor (Marine Fisheries) at WWF-Pakistan stated that in the past, when sawfish were abundant in the seas, their meat was exported to Sri Lanka and Hong Kong along with other sharks in cured form. They were so common that fishermen often used their saws as markers in their homes.
All species of sawfish are considered critically endangered. They are caught, sometimes accidentally, for their saws (possibly due to curiosity about them), fins (a delicacy), and liver oil used in traditional medicine. Many rumors suggest that consuming sawfish fins can enable people to see the spirits from the afterlife. However, these claims are unfounded and lack scientific basis.
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