Distribution:

Circumglobal. Western Atlantic: North Carolina (USA), Bermuda and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. Caribbean, rare in Bermuda. Eastern Atlantic: Gibraltar to Namibia; possibly in the Mediterranean Sea. Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Philippines. Possibly occurring in the eastern Pacific.

Diagnosis:

Anal spines: 0-0. Long, flat, blade-like rostrum with 24 to 32 pairs of teeth along edges; caudal fin large and oblique with no lower lobe. Dark mouse gray to blackish brown above, paler along margins of fins. White to grayish white or pale yellow below.

Biology:

Inshore and intertidal species, but may cross deep water to reach offshore islands; also ascends rivers and can tolerate fresh water. Commonly seen in bays, lagoons, estuaries, and river mouths. Also found in rivers and lakes. Uses its saw to stir the bottom when feeding on bottom invertebrates and to kill pelagic fishes. Utilized as a food fish; oil is used to make medicine, soap and in leather tanning. Adults stuffed for decoration. Reported to be aggressive towards sharks when kept in tanks.

Max. size: 760.0 cm

Max.weight: 350 Kg

Environment: demersal; depth range - 10 m

Climate: subtropical; 16 - 30°C; 44°N - 37°S

Canary Islands country information: Name: Pejes sierra