Fish Active at night

Common Sawshark

Pristiophorus cirratus

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Equipped with a toothy 'saw' and sensitive whiskers, the Common Sawshark is a master of Australia's southern seafloors. This nocturnal specialist blends perfectly with the sand as it hunts for its next meal using advanced biological sensors.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 1.1 to 1.4 metres (3.6 to 4.6 feet) in length; weight usually between 1.5 and 4.5 kg (3.3-10 lbs)

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Colors

Pale yellow-brown to sandy grey on the dorsal side with faint darker blotches; creamy white or pale underside

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Key Features

Extremely long, flattened snout lined with sharp, unequal teeth
Two long, fleshy barbels located halfway down the rostrum
Slender, shark-like body with two dorsal fins and no anal fin
Large eyes and five lateral gill slits

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 9 PM - 5 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Small bony fishes, squid, and various crustaceans like shrimp and crabs found in the benthos

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Habitat Continental shelf and upper slopes, typically over sandy, gravelly, or muddy bottoms

public Geographic range

Where Does the Common Sawshark Live?

This unique shark is endemic to the temperate and subtropical waters of the Australian continent. It is primarily found along the southern coastline, stretching from the northern waters of New South Wales, around the southern coast (including Tasmania), and up into the mid-latitudes of Western Australia. Within this range, it occupies the vast continental shelf, rarely venturing into the deep open ocean far from the coast.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Common Sawshark is a fascinating, bottom-dwelling predator that navigates the seafloor with a prehistoric grace. Unlike the more famous sawfish (which are actually rays), the sawshark is a true shark, characterized by gill slits on the sides of its neck. It spends much of its time cruising just above sandy or silty substrates, using its highly specialized rostrum as both a sensory array and a lethal weapon. The barbels on its snout are packed with chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors, allowing it to 'taste' and feel the water for the presence of prey hidden beneath the sand.

While generally solitary, Common Sawsharks are known to form loose aggregations, particularly during the breeding season or in areas with high food density. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular hunters, becoming most active as the sun sets. When prey is detected, the shark uses a rapid side-to-side slashing motion of its saw to stun or impale small fish and squid. Despite their intimidating appearance, they are non-aggressive toward humans and are generally shy, retreating quickly if disturbed by divers or submersible lights.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Common Sawshark requires a specialized approach since they reside in relatively deep marine environments. For coastal residents or researchers, a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) system is the most effective tool. Position your camera rig on sandy or silty flats adjacent to rocky reef edges at depths of at least 40 meters. The camera should be mounted horizontally on a stable frame, roughly 30 cm from the seabed, with a bait arm extending into the field of view to attract these curious predators.

Because sawsharks are highly sensitive to electrical signals (using their Ampullae of Lorenzini), it is vital to use high-quality, shielded camera housings. Unshielded electronics can produce a 'galvanic' signature that might either repel the shark or cause it to attack the camera equipment rather than the bait. For bait, oily fish with a high scent profile, such as sardines or chopped mackerel, works best to draw them in from the surrounding currents.

Since this species is most active during the night, infrared lighting or low-intensity red LEDs are recommended to avoid startling the animal. Standard white lights can often cause 'backscatter' in silty water and may spook the shark before it gets close enough for a clear ID. Set your camera to record in 10-15 minute intervals with high-sensitivity sensors enabled. If you are operating from a pier or boat near a drop-off, ensure the rig is heavily weighted to prevent it from drifting in the strong southern Australian currents.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Common Sawshark.

Southern Sawshark

Lacks the distinctive spots/blotches of the Common Sawshark and has a slightly broader snout with barbels closer to the mouth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Sawsharks are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. They spend the daylight hours resting on the seafloor and begin hunting as light levels drop at dusk.

The best way to attract them is by using a baited remote underwater video (BRUV) setup. Use oily fish like sardines or mackerel in a mesh bag to create a scent trail that these sharks can follow using their sensitive barbels.

Their diet consists mainly of small bony fish that live near the seafloor, as well as squid and various crustaceans like shrimp and crabs which they flush out of the sand using their saw.

They are not found in inland suburban areas but are common in the 'blue backyards' of coastal southern Australia. You won't see them from the beach, as they prefer depths of 40 meters or more on the continental shelf.

The easiest way to tell them apart is by the gills: sawsharks have gill slits on the sides of their bodies, while sawfish (which are rays) have gills on their undersides. Sawsharks also have two long barbels (whiskers) on their snout, which sawfish lack.

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