Sawfishes feed on small schooling fish and invertebrates, using their specialized rostrums to probe in the sand or slash and stun fishes. The cartilage encloses 3-5 longitudinal canals or ducts and is strengthened by calcification. The rostral teeth are slightly recurved, dorso-ventrally compressed, have a flattened posterior edge and slightly striate base. The anterior edge is sharp and the posterior flat. Towards the tip, the teeth are channeled longitudinally.
Oral teeth are minute, dome-shaped with an anteriorly positioned transverse cutting edge.
The 5 or 6 most posterior teeth dip downward and the anteriors project horizontally.