Pointed sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata)

Scientific name: Anoxypristis cuspidata Latham, 1794

Pointed sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata)

The Pointed sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata) is a freshwater fish of the family Pristidae.

Biology

Found inshore, often in river deltas and estuaries; penetration well up rivers needs confirmation. Common in sheltered bays with sandy bottoms. Feeds on small fish and cuttlefish. Ovoviviparous. Generally harmless but its saw-like snout may cause serious injury when caught: it is known thrash violently and vigorously. Caught for its flesh and liver (which is rich in oil) in some parts of Asia. Maximum lengths of up to 610 cm TL are based on unconfirmed reports.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Anoxypristis cuspidata
Family
Pristidae (Sawfishes)
Order
Pristiformes (Sawfishes)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
470
Depth range
0–40 m (0–131 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; amphidromous; depth range 0 - 40 m, usually ? - 40 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia. Formerly common in the Western Central Pacific, apparently declining in some areas.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered (CR) (A2bcd+3cd+4bcd)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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