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Pointed sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata) fish species and information / pictures of Pointed sawfish - Anoxypristis cuspidata
Pointed sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata) fish species information
Scientific Name
Anoxypristis cuspidata
Common Name
Pointed sawfish
Biology
Found inshore, often in river deltas and estuaries; penetration well up rivers needs confirmation (Ref. 9859). Common in sheltered bays with sandy bottoms. Feeds on small fish and cuttlefish (Ref. 9859). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Generally harmless but its saw-like snout may cause serious injury when caught: it is known thrash violently and vigorously (Ref. 9859). Caught for its flesh and liver (which is rich in oil) in some parts of Asia (Ref. 6871). Maximum lengths of up to 610 cm TL are based on unconfirmed reports (Ref. 9859).
Classification
Classified By
Latham, 1794
Class
Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)
Order
Sawfishes (Pristiformes)
Family
Sawfishes (Pristidae)
Distribution
Region
Indo-West Pacific
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia (Ref. 9859). Formerly common in the Western Central Pacific, apparently declining in some areas (Ref. 47737).
Range
43°N - 18°S, 33°E - 152°E
Environment
Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown
°C
Water Temperature To
Unknown
°C
Depth From - meters
0
m
Depth To - meters
40
m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; amphidromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 40 m (Ref. 9859), usually ? - 40 m (Ref. 55270)
Trophic Level
4.5 s.e. 0.62 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False
Physical Size and Genetics
Maximum Length
470
cm
Common Length
Unknown
cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.0156 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)
Human Uses and Population
Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Very high vulnerability (78 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be
Threat To Humans
Harmless (Ref. 9859)
IUCN Red List Status
Critically Endangered (CR) (A2bcd+3cd+4bcd)