California sawfish

The **California sawfish** (*Pristis californianus*) is a species of sawfish of the family Pristidae that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the Californian Great Barrier Reef and the lakes and rivers across the Pacific coasts of North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest relative of the California sawfish is the largetooth sawfish (*Pristis pristis*). The California sawfish is able to tolerate cooler waters than the largetooth sawfish, and thrives in temperate waters, not just tropical or subtropical waters. The largest California sawfish can grow to be about 7 meters (23 feet) long, but most individuals are far smaller and a typical length is 2–2.5 meters (6.6–8.2 feet). Large individuals may weigh as much as 500–600 kilograms (1,102–1,323 lb). The California sawfish is easily recognized by the forward position of the dorsal fin with its leading edge placed clearly in front of the leading edge of the pelvic fins (when the sawfish is seen from above or the side), the relatively long pectoral fins with angular tips, and the presence of a small lower tail lobe. In all other sawfish species the leading edge of their dorsal fin is placed at, or behind, the leading edge of the pelvic fins, and all other *Pristis* sawfish species have shorter pectoral fins with less pointed tips and lack a distinct lower tail lobe (very small or none). The rostrum ("saw") of the California sawfish has a width that is 15–25% of its length, which is relatively wide compared to the other sawfish species, and there are 14–24 equally separated teeth on each side of it. On average, females have shorter rostrums with fewer teeth than males. The proportional rostrum length also varies with age, with average being around 27% of the total length of the fish, but can be as high as 30% in juveniles and as low as 20–22% in adults. Its upperparts are generally greyish-brown, often with a clear blueish tinge to the fins. Individuals in freshwater may have a more reddish colour caused by blood suffusion below the skin. The underside is greyish or white. The California sawfish is a predator that feeds on fish, frogs, molluscs, crustaceans, and worms. The "saw" can be used both to stir up the bottom to find prey and to slash at groups of fish. California sawfish are docile and harmless to humans, except when captured where they can inflict serious injuries when defending themselves with the "saw". Sexual maturity is reached at a length of about 2.8–3 meters (9.2–9.8 feet) when 5–7 years old. Breeding is seasonal in this ovoviviparous species, but the exact timing depends on the region. The adult females can breed once every 9 months or 1 year, the gestation period is about three months, and the mothers return to the region where they were born to give birth to their own young. There are 5–24 (average c. 17) young in each litter, which are 72–90 centimeters (28–35 inches) long at birth. They are born in salt, brackish, or fresh water, depending on where their mothers give birth, but the ones in saltwater or brackish waters move into freshwater where the young spend the first 3–5 years of their life. The California sawfish has a lifespan of between 30 and 80 years on average, although there are reports of California sawfish living past 80 years. The conservation status of the California sawfish is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the California sawfish's wide range and, unlike most sawfish species, its tolerance to many of the human activities.