Sawfishes

Distribution: Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Snout elongated into a long flat blade with teeth of uniform size deeply embedded on each side. No barbels. Head depressed. The body more or less resembling a shark. Two distinct dorsal fins. Giant fishes of coastal waters, entering estuaries and ascending large rivers for great distances. Used for food and regarded as exciting game fishes because of their size. Although generally harmless to humans, their large size and sawlike beak make them dangerous when hooked or speared. Of the many nominal species only four appear to be valid.