Sixgill sawshark (Pliotrema warreni)

Scientific name: Pliotrema warreni Regan, 1906

Sixgill sawshark (Pliotrema warreni)

The Sixgill sawshark (Pliotrema warreni) is a marine fish of the family Istiophoridae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, off Madagascar and from southern Mozambique to Cape Agulhas, South Africa.

Biology

Found on the continental shelf and upper slope to at least 430 m. Feeds on bony fish, also shrimp, mysids and squid. Ovoviviparous, with 5 to 7 young in a litter. Probably uses its saw to stun and kill prey. Sometimes caught by sports anglers.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Pliotrema warreni
Family
Istiophoridae (Billfishes)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
170
Depth range
60–430 m (197–1411 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 60 - 430 m, usually 60 - ? m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: off Madagascar and from southern Mozambique to Cape Agulhas, South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=5)

Sources

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

Last updated