Fin's Fish Guide
The Knifetooth sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Pristidae that grows up to 470 cm.
Description
The knifetooth sawfish is a sawfish (Pristidae), a shark-like ray with a long, flat, tooth-studded saw-shaped snout. It lives inshore in the Indo-West Pacific, often in river mouths and estuaries. With the saw, which is full of electrical sensors, it detects prey and stuns schools of fish. It gives birth to live young and is critically endangered through bycatch and habitat loss. The toothed saw can inflict severe injuries when the animal thrashes.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Knifetooth sawfish?
The Knifetooth sawfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Long, toothed saw-like snout full of electric sensors; critically endangered ovoviviparous sawfish.
Where does the Knifetooth sawfish live?
The Knifetooth sawfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Indo-West Pacific; inshore, river mouths and estuaries.
How big does the Knifetooth sawfish get?
The Knifetooth sawfish grows to a maximum of about 470 cm.
Is the Knifetooth sawfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Knifetooth sawfish is harmless to humans. The long, tooth-studded saw-shaped snout can inflict severe cuts and slashes when the animal thrashes or is cornered. Keep well clear of a caught or entangled animal; for a wound, control bleeding and seek urgent medical care.
Is the Knifetooth sawfish edible?
Yes, the Knifetooth sawfish is commonly eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Pristidae
Want the complete picture on the Knifetooth sawfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Knifetooth sawfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.