Sawfish are predatory marine fish known for their long snout resembling a saw, hence their name.
In this article in TekeTrek Website, we will introduce you to the most important information related to this object. Follow along with us.
Morphological Characteristics of Sawfish
- Sawfish are part of the Rajiformes order, belonging to the chordate phylum, vertebrate subphylum, and class of cartilaginous fish.
- They are a group of flat marine fish that includes rays and skates, closely related to sharks.
- Unlike other cartilaginous fish, sawfish have developed a long snout with special teeth.
- The saw-like snout, called a rostrum, can be used in a back-and-forth striking motion to cut prey in half or to dig through sediments.
- The large-tooth sawfish can grow up to 7 meters.
- The Sawfish size and average length of a small-tooth sawfish is 5.5 meters, and it can reach up to 7.6 meters.
Habitats of Sawfish
- Sawfish are found in the Gulf of Mexico and along the southern borders of the United States.
- Sawfish are also found along South America near the Gulf of California and the west coast of Africa.
- Some species of sawfish are found along the borders of the Indian Ocean, the northeastern part of Australia, and northward to China and Japan.
- Sawfish are aquatic animals that prefer shallow coastal waters and even swim in freshwater river systems.
Diet of Sawfish
- This shark-like fish is a carnivorous predator. Sawfish feed on crustaceans such as shrimp and fish.
- Sawfish use their rostrums to activate the “sixth sense” that detects electric fields.
- Thousands of small pore-like organs in their noses allow them to detect the presence of their prey, as all living beings are surrounded by invisible electric fields, which is called “remote touch,” because they do not rely on sight and usually hunt at night.
- The large-tooth sawfish kills its prey by cutting it into pieces, moving its rostrum back and forth like a real saw, stunning and killing it.
- It also uses this weapon when facing the few predators it has, such as sharks and saltwater crocodiles.
Reproduction of Sawfish
- Sawfish are viviparous, meaning that instead of laying eggs, females carry and give birth to a number of developed young sawfish.
- Sawfish can grow to over 20 feet.
- Sawfish reach maturity at the age of 10 and live up to approximately 35 years.
- However, due to their slow growth and low reproductive rate, producing only seven to nine young each time, their population growth is low.
- The pups are born covered in soft tissue so as not to harm the mother, and mating is likely to occur in the summer.
Threats to Survival
- Although their long snout serves as an effective tool for hunting and defense, it also makes sawfish vulnerable, as it facilitates their entanglement in fishing gear.
- Accidental entanglement in fishing nets targeting other fish is one of the biggest threats they face today.
- Deliberate fishing for parts of sawfish poses another threat, as they are targeted for their skins for luxury fashion, their fins for shark fin soup, or even for making medicines and weapons.
- The fins, meat, organs, skin, rostrums, and teeth of sawfish are part of the illegal international trade.
- Sawfish also lose their viable habitat due to human development such as dam construction, mining (especially underwater), building construction and transportation, and pollution resulting from these activities.
- Climate change also leads to a reduction in available habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sawfish
- Why are sawfish hunted?
Sawfish are hunted for their skins for luxury clothing and for some of their properties for making medicines and weapons.
- What is the expected lifespan of a sawfish?
Sawfish can live up to 35 years.
- What are sawfish?
Sawfish are cartilaginous fish characterized by a long bony saw at the front of their head, containing sharp teeth.
- Where do sawfish live?
These fish live in warm oceans and seas, primarily inhabiting the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and prefer coastal areas such as river estuaries and bays.
- What do sawfish eat?
They feed on plankton, algae, sometimes small fish, and crustaceans, using their saw to search for food on the seabed.
- What is sawfish called?
Sawfish called Carpenter shark.
- Why are sawfish so rare??
Some species of sawfish are endangered due to overfishing and loss of natural habitats.
- How do sawfish reproduce?
They reproduce by giving birth, where they give birth to young that are capable of living independently immediately after birth.
- Are sawfish dangerous?
Yes, sawfish are dangerous, they have sharp teeth.
In conclusion, sawfish were present in 75 countries, but it is now known that they are only found in 20 countries. It is difficult to determine the exact numbers, but it is clear that their numbers have significantly decreased in recent decades. It is also an endangered species.
