Explore The Aquarium — Interact

Ocean Voyager built by The Home Depot

Green sawfish

Green sawfish

(Pristis zijsron)

The green sawfish occurs in the Indo-West Pacific region from the Red Sea to Australia. It is an intertidal species usually seen resting on muddy bottom habitats less than about 16 feet deep. Some individuals have been caught further offshore.

This sawfish has an elongated shark-like body that is greenish-brown to olive in color. Its rostrum or snout has the appearance of a saw with 25 to 35 tooth-like denticles set on either side. It uses its saw to stir up bottom sediments to reveal hidden prey or, with a side-to-slide slashing motion, to stun schooling fish.

Look for the green sawfish swimming over the tunnel in the Ocean Voyager gallery.

Fun Facts

  • The green sawfish has been reported to reach lengths up to 24 feet.
  • This species has the longest rostrum of any living sawfish ranging to a little over 5 feet.
  • Its prey includes small fishes, crabs and shrimp.
  • This species is ovoviviparous, meaning the female gives birth to live young.
  • It has few natural predators, although parts of green sawfish have been found in the stomach a tiger shark.
  • Download full fact sheet

Plan Your Visit


Connect with Georgia Aquarium around the web