Catalog of Fishes
literature references
FishBase
Anoxypristis cuspidata
(LATHAM, 1794)
Knifetooth sawfish
Classification: Elasmobranchii Pristiformes Pristidae
Reference of the original description
An essay on the various species of Sawfish. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, 2: 273-282, 2 pl.
An essay on the various species of Sawfish. Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, 2: 273-282, 2 pl.
Image of the original description
.jpg)
Anoxypristis cuspidata (LATHAM, 1794)
Anoxypristis cuspidata (LATHAM, 1794)
Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Anoxypristis cuspidatus, Pristis cuspidata, Pristis cuspidatus, Pristis semisagittatus, Pristis (Anoxypristis) cuspidata, Squalus semisagittatus
Anoxypristis cuspidatus, Pristis cuspidata, Pristis cuspidatus, Pristis semisagittatus, Pristis (Anoxypristis) cuspidata, Squalus semisagittatus
Description:
Citation: Anoxypristis cuspidata (LATHAM, 1794): In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 05/2013
Please send your images of "Anoxypristis cuspidata" to info@shark-references.com
Anoxypristis cuspidata (LATHAM, 1794), © FAO, www.fish-base.org
Anoxypristis cuspidata (LATHAM, 1794), © FAO, www.fish-base.org
Common names
Pez espada, 
Knifetooth sawfish, Narrow sawfish, Pointed saw-fish, Pointed sawfish, Saw fish, Saw shark, Sawfish
Pez espada, Knifetooth sawfish, Narrow sawfish, Pointed saw-fish, Pointed sawfish, Saw fish, Saw shark, Sawfish
Short Description
Greyish above, pale below; fins usually pale. Body shark-like, pectoral fins distinct; head flattened, with a blade-like snout bearing 18-22 pairs of lateral teeth; blade slender, not tapering distally. Nostrils very narrow with small nasal flaps. Rostral teeth short, flattened, broadly triangular, lacking a groove along posterior margins; no teeth on basal quarter of blade. Adults with widely spaced denticles, young with naked skin.
Greyish above, pale below; fins usually pale. Body shark-like, pectoral fins distinct; head flattened, with a blade-like snout bearing 18-22 pairs of lateral teeth; blade slender, not tapering distally. Nostrils very narrow with small nasal flaps. Rostral teeth short, flattened, broadly triangular, lacking a groove along posterior margins; no teeth on basal quarter of blade. Adults with widely spaced denticles, young with naked skin.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia [541]. Formerly common in the Western Central Pacific, apparently declining in some areas (Ref. 47737).
Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and the Persian Gulf to New Guinea, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia [541]. Formerly common in the Western Central Pacific, apparently declining in some areas (Ref. 47737).
Human uses
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Biology
Ovoviviparous. Litter size from 6 to 23, young born in the spring [541]. Inhabits coastal waters and estuaries; probably ascends rivers but its occurrence in freshwater needs to be verified [541]. Common in sheltered bays with sandy bottoms. Feeds on small fish and cuttlefish.
Ovoviviparous. Litter size from 6 to 23, young born in the spring [541]. Inhabits coastal waters and estuaries; probably ascends rivers but its occurrence in freshwater needs to be verified [541]. Common in sheltered bays with sandy bottoms. Feeds on small fish and cuttlefish.
Habitat
benthopelagic; amphidromous [17660]; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m [541], usually ? - 40 m (Ref. 55270)
benthopelagic; amphidromous [17660]; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m [541], usually ? - 40 m (Ref. 55270)
Parasites arranged by Pollerspöck, Jürgen
Cestoda
Cestoda
- Cephalobothrium variabile SOUTHWELL, 1911 (host Pristis cuspidatus = synonym of Anoxypristis cuspidata [17129])
- Fossobothrium perplexum BEVERIDGE & CAMPBELL, 2005 [7395] [15747] [17827]
- Pristiorhynchus palmi SCHAEFFNER & BEVERIDGE, 2013 [17827]
- Proemotobothrium southwelli BEVERIDGE & CAMPBELL, 2001 [16112] [17827]
- Pterobothrium acanthotruncatum ESCALANTE & CARVAJAL, 1984 [16112] [16283]
- Pterobothrium australiense CAMPBELL AND BEVERIDGE, 1996 [16972]
