Five lateral gill slits, paired snout barbels nearer the mouth, ridged bases of large saw teeth and two dark longitudinal snout stripes. Marine upper continental slope; reported at 286–570 m.
Wildlife education
This record supports wildlife education. Aquarium-care questions are not assigned to this profile.
Wildlife education profile; reviewed natural-history sources do not establish a captive operating protocol.
Wildlife reference; no home-aquarium stocking recommendation or validated captive operating protocol is supplied. Public-aquarium photographs document living animals, not suitability for private keeping.
Outstanding care evidence
- Institutional lifetime husbandry and veterinary protocol
Identification
Five lateral gill slits, paired snout barbels nearer the mouth, ridged bases of large saw teeth and two dark longitudinal snout stripes.
Names and Classification
Adult Size
Reported specimens reach 62.1 cm total length; a population maximum and adult average remain uncertain.
Distribution and Habitat
Western Indian Ocean; confirmed from Mozambique, with additional published Kenya and Socotra records. Somali and Pakistani specimens require separate identification. Marine upper continental slope; reported at 286–570 m.
Feeding and Ecological Role
Small decapod shrimps and other shrimp-like crustacean remains were found in examined stomachs. Rarely collected; possible exposure to deepwater shrimp-trawl bycatch.
Reproduction and Life History
Live-bearing sawshark; litter size and reproductive cycle remain unknown.
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN Red List global species assessment; Assessed 24 April 2018; published 2019; checked 2026-10-17). Global category; does not establish local abundance or a measured population trend.
Responsible Observation
Observe without chasing, feeding, touching or obstructing the animal. Keep fins and equipment off resting rays and sharks; give sawfishes and wedgefishes room to move. Follow the site’s local wildlife rules and use responsible dive operators.
About the Photographs
No freely reusable photograph of a verified living specimen was found in this search. The target of at least three photographs remains unmet. Dead or preserved specimens, drawings and uncertain identifications were excluded.
Aquarium Suitability
Wildlife education only. This marine elasmobranch is outside home-aquarium stocking and care guidance. Wild range and diet are not a captive operating protocol; this profile does not infer tank dimensions, water settings, acquisition advice or an institutional welfare plan.
Evidence Gaps
Evidence gaps include: Litter size, longevity and population trend are unknown; old Not Evaluated labels predate the global assessment.
A living record
Natural history, taxonomy and global conservation categories checked against the linked sources. Habitat measurements are not captive care settings. Each photograph has separate identity, living-status and rights evidence. Public content last reviewed October 17, 2026.
- Ebert and Cailliet 2011 original description ↗Reference source
- IUCN SSG 2019-3 published assessment table ↗Reference source
- FishBase assessment and reference crosscheck ↗Reference source
- Shark-References — species and taxonomic synonyms ↗Reference source