5 Interesting Facts about Sawfish
- Tuesday 5th January 2021
- Sawfish
Here at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium we are lucky to be home to two largetooth sawfish Rodger and Ryobi. Our team here in Sydney think sawfish are very unique and incredibly interesting creatures. Check out these 5 fun facts about sawfish and we’ll let you decide for yourself!
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There are 5 different species of sawfish
These 5 species are the smalltooth, largetooth, green, dwarf and narrow sawfish. Sadly, due to being hunted, entanglement in nets and habitat loss, now 3 out of the 5 species are listed by the IUCN Red list as critically endangered.
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Sawfish are ovoviviparous
This means the female has a fertilised egg grow inside her body and then gives birth to love young!
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Sawfish look a little like a shark
But they are actually more similar to rays than sharks. This is because they have their gills underneath their bodies not on top like a shark.
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A sawfish has a bit of a strange name
It gets this name from the large ‘saw’ attached to the front of its body that resembles a saw. This saw is called a rostrum
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A sawfish’s rostrum is filled with sensory organs
These sensory organs help the sawfish detect tiny electrical signals given off by their prey. This helps them hunt at night and in murky water!
If these facts have inspired you to learn more about sawfish and how you can help the species, dive in and visit Rodger and Ryobi in our Day and Night on the Reef exhibit right here at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. Come and get up close to these magnificent creatures. Get your tickets online now.
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- Price includes Digi Photo Pass with 8 digital photos included – valued at $26!
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Ticket Type Peak/On the day SAVE 25% - Pre-book online in advance on weekdays High-demand pricing Adult From $51 From $38.40 $53
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- Choose from: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussauds Sydney or Sydney Tower Eye
- Visit your second attraction within 30 days after you have visited SEA LIFE
- Price includes Digi Photo Pass with 8 digital photos included
Frequently Asked Questions about Sawfish
Sawfish are vulnerable to gillnets and trawlers because of their saw-like rostrum that gets easily tangled in nets. Along northern Australia, they're often accidentally caught in gillnets used to catch barramundi, or trawler nets used to scoop up prawns. They are also at increased risk due to habitat loss associated with coastal development.
It is believed that almost all sawfish species are critically endangered. Because of the lack of research, it is estimated that there are anywhere from 200 - 5000 sawfish left in the world.
Despite their shark-like form and manner of swimming, they are actually rays!
Sawfish are typically not aggressive toward people; however, the saw can inflict a serious injury and those who catch a sawfish while fishing for other species should use caution when releasing the fish. Always proceed with caution when dealing with sawfish, and call a professional for help.
The largest sawfish ever measured by scientists was found in the Florida Keys. The 4.9-metre sharp-snouted fish was a mature female with eggs the size of softballs found in her reproductive tract.
