Pristis perotteti Müller & Henle, 1841
Large-tooth sawfish
photo by IBAMA

Family:  Pristidae (Sawfishes)
Max. size:  650 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 591 kg
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 122 m, amphidromous
Distribution:  Northwest Atlantic: Texas, Florida. Northeast Atlantic: West Africa. Eastern and Western Central Pacific: off northern Australia. Indo-China: East Indies. South America: Amazon near Santárem, Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Fewer sawteeth (normally 19, rarely 20 on a side). First dorsal fin originate in advance of the origin of the pelvic fins and much more deeply concave posterior margins of the dorsal fins. Saltwater species when fresh-caught, either dark gray or golden brown, while freshwater species are mouse gray with reddish along midback posterior to first dorsal fin, reddish posterior to lower part of sides, first dorsal pale yellow with reddish free rear corner; second dorsal, pelvic fins, caudal and lower sides posterior to first dorsal dull brick red. Reddish tint either normal or result of suffusion with blood below the skin (Ref. 6902).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow water in the vicinity of the shore and estuarine, particularly lagoons. Generally thought to rarely descend below 10m but have been found at 122m in Lake Nicaragua (Ref. 55273). Tends to run farther upstream in large rivers. Found in temperatures higher than 20-30°C (Ref. 6902). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Minor commercial, for the curio trade (Ref. 37548).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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