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The Longnose Sawshark (Pristiophorus cirratus) is a fascinating and distinctive species of sawshark, characterized by its elongated, flattened snout (rostrum) armed with sharp, tooth-like denticles along its edges. It is a benthic species, primarily inhabiting continental shelves and upper slopes. Its unique rostrum is used for foraging, allowing it to detect and incapacitate prey hidden in the substrate or water column. This species is ovoviviparous, with embryos developing inside eggs retained within the mother's uterus, hatching internally before live birth.
Physical Characteristics
- Body shape
- elongated
- Coloration
- Dorsal surface is typically yellowish-brown to greyish-brown, often with darker blotches or bands. The ventral surface is pale white. The rostrum is generally lighter in color.
- Scale type
- placoid
- Mouth position
- inferior
- Distinctive features
- Extremely long, flattened, blade-like snout (rostrum) with sharp, alternating large and small denticles along its edges., A pair of prominent, unbranched barbels located approximately midway along the rostrum., Two dorsal fins of similar size, lacking spines., No anal fin., Large spiracles behind the eyes., Five pairs of gill slits located on the side of the head, anterior to the pectoral fins.
- Dorsal fin
- Two distinct dorsal fins, roughly equal in size, located far back on the body. The first dorsal fin originates behind the pectoral fin bases. Both lack spines.
- Tail fin
- Heterocercal caudal fin, with the upper lobe significantly longer than the lower lobe.
- Pectoral fin
- Moderately large and rounded.
- Distinctive fins
- Absence of an anal fin.
Identification Tips
Rostrum
The most defining feature is the long, flattened, saw-like snout with prominent, alternating large and small teeth-like denticles. The length of the rostrum is typically 27-33% of the total body length.
Barbels
Look for two prominent, unbranched barbels located about halfway along the rostrum. This distinguishes it from some other sawshark species.
Gill Slits
Observe the five pairs of gill slits located on the side of the head, anterior to the pectoral fins, a characteristic of sawsharks (Pristiophoriformes).
Absence of Anal Fin
Unlike true sharks, sawsharks lack an anal fin, which is a key diagnostic feature.
Habitat
- Water type
- saltwater
- Depth
- Typically found at depths ranging from 37 to 310 meters (121 to 1,017 feet), though occasionally recorded shallower or deeper (up to 630 meters).
- Environment
- Benthic or demersal, inhabiting continental shelves and upper slopes. Prefers soft substrates (sand, mud) where it can forage for buried prey.
- Geographic range
- Endemic to the temperate waters of southern Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales, including Tasmania.
Aquarium Information
- Care level: expert
- Temperament: peaceful
- Diet: carnivore
- Minimum tank size: Not suitable for home aquaria due to size, specialized needs, and deep-water habitat.
- Temperature: 10-18°C (50-64°F)
- pH level: 7.8-8.4
- Hardness: High (marine salinity)
- Compatibility: Not compatible with typical aquarium setups. Requires highly specialized, large public aquarium facilities.
- Special requirements: Requires very large, deep-water, cold-water marine systems with specialized filtration and feeding protocols. Not a species for private aquarists.
Wild Information
- Conservation status: least concern
- Seasonality: No distinct seasonal patterns in distribution or abundance are widely reported, though local aggregations may occur.
- Market price: Variable, generally low to moderate
- Commercial importance: low
- Taste: Mild, slightly sweet
- Texture: Firm, flaky
- Cooking methods: Fried, Baked, Grilled
- Nutritional value: Good source of protein, low in fat.
Key Facts
Rostral Weaponrybehavior
The Longnose Sawshark's 'saw' is not just for show; it's a highly effective hunting tool. The shark swings its head from side to side, using the saw to slash and stun prey, or to dislodge organisms from the seabed.
Sensory Barbelsbehavior
The prominent barbels on its rostrum are packed with chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors, allowing the sawshark to detect prey hidden in the sand or mud, even in low light conditions.
Ovoviviparous Reproductionbehavior
Unlike many sharks that lay eggs or give live birth directly, Longnose Sawsharks are ovoviviparous. The embryos develop within egg cases inside the mother's uterus, nourished by a yolk sac, and hatch internally before being born as miniature versions of the adults.
Deep-Water Dwellerinteresting
This species is primarily a deep-water inhabitant, spending most of its life on the continental shelf and upper slope, making it less commonly encountered by humans than many other shark species.
Not a Sawfishinteresting
Despite the similar common name and 'saw', sawsharks are distinct from sawfishes. Sawsharks are true sharks with gill slits on the side of their head, while sawfishes are rays with gill slits on their underside.
Safety Information
Handle with care- Safety level: caution
- Venomous: No
- Edibility: edible
- Handling notes: While not venomous, the rostral denticles are extremely sharp and can inflict deep lacerations if handled carelessly. Anglers should exercise extreme caution when unhooking or handling this species. It is best to avoid direct contact with the saw. Due to its deep-water habitat, it is rarely encountered by recreational divers.
Similar Species
Shortnose Sawshark
Pristiophorus nudipinnis
The Shortnose Sawshark has a noticeably shorter rostrum (22-24% of total length) and lacks the prominent rostral barbels found in the Longnose Sawshark. Its rostral denticles are also more uniform in size.
Tropical Sawshark
Pristiophorus delicatus
The Tropical Sawshark has a relatively shorter and narrower rostrum compared to the Longnose Sawshark, and its barbels are positioned closer to the nostrils than to the tip of the rostrum. It also has a more northern distribution.
Sixgill Sawshark
Pliotrema kajae (formerly P. warreni)
The Sixgill Sawshark is easily distinguished by having six pairs of gill slits, whereas Pristiophorus cirratus has five. Its barbels are also positioned closer to the mouth.
Common Sawfish
Pristis pristis (and other Pristis species)
Sawfishes (family Pristidae) are rays, not sharks. They have gill slits on their ventral surface, a much larger, broader, and more robust saw, and lack barbels on the rostrum. Their body shape is also much flatter and ray-like.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Pristiophoriformes
- Family
- Pristiophoridae
- Genus
- Pristiophorus
- Species
- Pristiophorus cirratus
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