Description:
  Smalltooth sawfishes are distinctive fishes that grow to a length of 18 - 25 feet.  The body is shark-like in appearance, but closer examination places sawfish closer to rays and skates.  Like sharks, the body is elongate, and the first and second dorsal fins are nearly equal in size.  Like rays, however, their pectoral fins are flattened, and both the mouth and gill slits are located on the ventral surface.  Sawfishes are characterized by the presence of the saw, an elongate extension of the snout that is used to stun prey.  The saw is armed with 23 - 34 teeth on both sides.  They are listed as Endangered by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Habitat:
Smalltooth sawfishes inhabit shallow coastal waters primarily over muddy or sandy bottoms.  They are most commonly observed at depths less than 30 feet. 

Similar Species:
The largetooth sawfish, Pristis perotteti, is similar in body shape and size.  It can be distinguished from the smalltooth sawfish by the number of teeth on the saw:  smalltooth sawfishes have 23 - 34 teeth on either side of the saw, while largetooth sawfishes have 17 - 22 teeth on either side of the saw.  Largetooth sawfishes are quite rare in Florida waters but have not yet been listed as Endangered species because so little is known about their biology.  

Range:
Smalltooth sawfishes range from Chesapeake Bay south to Brazil including the Gulf of Mexico.  It is estimated that their range has contracted by more than 90% and they are now in danger of extinction.  In U.S. waters, they are now observed with regularity only in the waters of southern Florida and near the Louisiana coast.