Common sawshark
📖 Overview
Found on the continental shelf and upper slope. Forms schools. Feeds on small fishes, including cornet fishes (Fistularia), and crustaceans. Ovoviviparous, with 3-22 young in a litter (48360). Size at birth about 31-34 cm. May live for more than 15 years. Meat marketed fresh and frozen.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Pristiophorus cirratus has a long, narrow, and narrowly tapering rostrum (rostrum length is 27-29% of TL), distance from rostral tip to barbels about equal or slightly greater than distance from barbels to mouth (1:1.2-1.3); distance from rostral barbels to nostrils slightly less or equal to distance from nostrils to 1st to 4th gill slits. About 9-10 large rostral teeth on each side of the rostrum in front of the barbels, 9 behind them; distance from mouth to nostrils 1.3-1.4 times internarial space. Tooth rows 39-49 in upper jaw. Dorsal and pectoral fins covered with denticles in large specimens. Lateral trunk denticles largely unicuspidate. First dorsal fin origin behind free rear tips of pectorals by eye length or more . P. cirratus has a body pattern of dark blotches (mostly darker bands between pectoral fin bases, over gill slits, between spiracles and below dorsal fins) and spots (occasionally faint). Nostrils, almost circular, are situated about 2/3 way from barbels to corner or mouth, width at nostrils more than 4.5 in preoral snout in adults; preoral snout length more than 2.3 times distance from barbels to snout tip . Rostral teeth with dark margins; underside abruptly uniformly white . First dorsal fin origin behind free rear tips of pectorals by eye length or more . Caudal fin almost straight, with slender upper and lower lobes; pectoral well developed but are not ray-like .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Common sawshark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Ovoviviparous, embryos feed solely on yolk . Males mature at about 97 cm, born at about 38 cm . Common sawshark lives for more than 15 years. Mature females appear to breed every 1-2 years, carrying from 3-22 young, with about 10 being the average. After 12 months' gestation, the pups are born in shallow coastal areas. They are about 11-14.5 in (27-37 cm) long at birth .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 37 - 310 m , usually 37 - 146 m . Subtropical; 28°S - 45°S, 113°E - 154°E Central Pacific (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small fishes, including cornet fishes (Fistularia), and crustaceans
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Common sawshark is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Common sawshark is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Common sawshark has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pristiophorus peroniensis | Iucn | 2006 | Synonym |
| Pristis cirratus | Latham | 1794 | Synonym |
| Squalus anisodon | Lacepède | 1802 | Synonym |
| Squalus tentaculatus | Shaw | 1804 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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