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Sawfish

Sawfish are cartilaginous fish in the family Pristidae, closely related to rays and skates.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sawfish are cartilaginous fish in the family Pristidae, closely related to rays and skates. They are known for their long, saw-like snout lined with tooth-like structures. Living sawfish occur in tropical and subtropical coastal, estuarine, and some freshwater habitats, and all recognized species are threatened with extinction. Although not generally associated with Canadian waters, they are relevant to Canadian readers through marine conservation, biodiversity, and international endangered-species protection.

Taxonomy

Sawfish belong to the family Pristidae within the elasmobranchs, a group that also includes sharks, rays, and skates. They are part of the order Rajiformes and are classified as rays rather than sharks.

Physical characteristics

Sawfish are identified by their elongated, flattened rostrum lined with tooth-like projections. They have flattened bodies and underside mouth and gill openings, consistent with their ray classification.

Habitat and distribution

Sawfish live in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Depending on species and life stage, they may use coastal shallows, estuaries, rivers, and other brackish or freshwater habitats.

Conservation

All living sawfish species are considered endangered or critically endangered. Major threats include fishing mortality, habitat loss, and exploitation, and some regional populations have declined sharply.

Key facts

  • Sawfish are rays, not sharks, although their body shape can look shark-like.
  • Their saw-like rostrum is used in feeding and sensing prey.
  • Five living species are recognized worldwide.
  • Sawfish inhabit shallow marine, brackish, and in some cases freshwater environments.
  • All extant sawfish species face severe conservation threats.
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Canadian context

Sawfish are not generally associated with Canadian waters, but they are relevant to Canadian readers through marine conservation, biodiversity, and international endangered-species protection.

Frequently asked questions

Are sawfish sharks or rays?
Sawfish are rays, specifically cartilaginous fish in the ray family Pristidae, though they can look shark-like in body shape.
How many sawfish species are alive today?
Five living sawfish species are recognized.
Why do sawfish have a 'saw'?
Their long rostrum is lined with tooth-like structures and is used to detect and strike prey.
Where do sawfish live?
They live in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, estuaries, and in some species freshwater rivers and lakes.
Are sawfish endangered?
Yes. All living sawfish species are considered endangered or critically endangered.

References

  1. National Wildlife Federation — https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Fish/Sawfish
    Supports: Sawfish classification, endangered status, and relationship to rays and sharks.
  2. Sawfish Conservation Society — https://www.sawfishconservationsociety.org/sawfish-facts-faq
    Supports: Family Pristidae, living species count, habitat, and general biology.
  3. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fish/sawfish/general-information/
    Supports: Taxonomy, physical features, conservation status, and Florida distribution.
  4. National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/facts/largetooth-sawfish
    Supports: Sawfish species information and critically endangered status of largetooth sawfish.