Smalltooth Sawfish
The amazing, but sadly, critically endangered, Smalltooth Sawfish can grow up to an incredible 7.6 metres in length!
Smalltooth Sawfish
The Smalltooth Sawfish is one of five sawfish species found in
Australia. Its saw, which is packed with tiny pore-like organs, and
which can detect minute electric fields surrounding living
organisms, is lined with teeth. As you might have guessed, it's saw
can also act as a means of defence, as well as a formidable weapon,
which it uses to attack its prey.
Sawfish are found in estuaries, freshwater rivers and creeks in
the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland. They have
evolved to swim in both fresh and salty waters, and like to sit at
the bottom of shallow muddy rivers. Younger animals tend to prefer
freshwater, and they typically move more towards saltwater as they
mature.
Sydney Aquarium is home to 4 Smalltooth Sawfish, measuring up to
2.7 metres in length.