Smalltooth Sawfish

Identification

A long, flat snout lined with lateral teeth makes a sawfish unmistakable as a group. The smalltooth sawfish has an olive-brown or gray upper surface and a pale underside. Its shark-like body can be misleading: it is a ray, with its mouth and gill openings underneath. Do not approach to count teeth or turn an animal over. The Florida Museum identification account explains the anatomical distinctions.

Florida habitat

NOAA Fisheries identifies southwestern Florida, through the Everglades and Keys, as the main remaining United States stronghold. Young fish use shallow estuarine habitat, often near mangrove shorelines. Larger animals use a wider range of coastal water, including deeper reef habitat. Inclusion in this directory is not a promise of a sighting on a local trip.

The National Park Service fish list for Biscayne includes this species among fishes reported in the park. This supports regional occurrence, not present-day abundance or a guaranteed sighting.

Feeding and reproduction

The rostrum is both a sensory tool and part of the feeding apparatus. It detects weak electrical signals from nearby prey and can swing through schooling fish. Smalltooth sawfish primarily eat fish, with some invertebrates also consumed. Young develop inside the mother, nourished by yolk sacs, and are born alive. A newborn’s flexible saw has a protective covering during birth. These animals depend on suitable nursery habitat as well as protection from direct harm.

Protected wildlife: never harvest

The United States population is federally endangered. Do not target, retain or harm a sawfish. If one is caught accidentally, keep it in the water and follow the official release guidance promptly. Never cut off the saw. Use FWC’s sawfish questions and guidance and NOAA’s linked safe-handling instructions for the current procedure.

For an observation, maintain distance and let the animal control its route. Do not surround it, feed it, touch it or drive it toward a camera. Protect mangrove edges and avoid leaving fishing line or other debris. Report sightings through the official FWC channels linked by NOAA, rather than approaching for a closer inspection.

Quick quiz

• Shark or ray? Ray.
• Is the saw only a weapon? No. It also carries sensory structures.
• Should an accidentally caught animal be lifted for a photograph? No. Keep it in the water and follow official release guidance.

Current observation and collection guidance

Smalltooth sawfish are federally endangered and protected in Florida. Federal Endangered Species Act protection applies in state as well as federal waters; Florida also prohibits harvest, landing and possession. Do not target, retain, harm or harass a sawfish. If accidentally hooked, keep it in the water and release it promptly using NOAA’s sawfish release guidance and FWC’s current sawfish instructions. Do not remove it for a photograph or cut off its saw. Observe from a distance and report sightings through the official channels. NOAA smalltooth sawfish species account NOAA endangered sawfish handling and release procedures FWC recreational shark regulations FWC regulatory bulletin Florida shark rule 68B-44.004 Florida Administrative Register notice 30356458 Biscayne National Park fishing regulations

Make your next dive happen

Review current dates, availability, prices, inclusions and requirements on each listing before booking or buying.