Largetooth sawfish

The largetooth sawfish, a member of the Pristidae family, is an intriguing species inhabiting tropical and subtropical coastal areas, as well as freshwater environments globally. Regrettably, it is now critically endangered following a sharp decline in its population. Historically, its classification has been ambiguous, but recent evidence confirms it is synonymous with P. microdon and P. perotteti. The genus name Pristis, derived from the Greek word for saw, aptly describes its distinctive saw-like snout.

These sawfish can reach lengths of up to 7.5 meters, with their saw-like rostrum making them easily identifiable. Typically found in estuaries and marine waters, they also venture into freshwater habitats, demonstrating remarkable adaptability. The largetooth sawfish breeds seasonally and is ovoviviparous, with females giving birth to live young—producing between 1 and 13 offspring per litter. Their diet primarily includes fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, which they capture by disturbing the seabed and striking at prey with their saw.

The largetooth sawfish confronts numerous threats, such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and accidental capture in fishing nets. They have vanished from many areas where they once thrived, now remaining only in a few countries with viable populations. Conservation initiatives are in place, including international trade restrictions under CITES Appendix I, protective measures in various nations, and conservation projects in Australia and the United States. However, illegal fishing and weak enforcement of fishing regulations continue to pose substantial challenges to their survival.

In public aquariums, the largetooth sawfish is frequently identified as P. microdon and is the most common sawfish species in captivity. Studbooks monitor individuals in aquariums across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, underscoring the critical need for persistent conservation efforts to protect this endangered species and secure its future in the wild.