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Bigtooth river stingray (Potamotrygon henlei) — Potamotrygonidae

Bigtooth river stingray

Potamotrygon henlei

The Bigtooth river stingray (Potamotrygon henlei) is a freshwater fish of the family Potamotrygonidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Bigtooth river stingray is a freshwater stingray (Potamotrygonidae) from fresh water of the Tocantins basin in Brazil. The species grows to about 45 cm across and has a round, flattened disc, which is black with conspicuous orange to yellow spots, and a tail with a venomous spine. As a bottom-dweller it often lies half-buried on sand and mud bottoms of rivers and searches for molluscs, crustaceans and small fish. The tail spine can inflict a very painful wound; never walk on sandy bottoms without shuffling.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigtooth river stingray?

The Bigtooth river stingray has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bigtooth river stingray live?

The Bigtooth river stingray lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bigtooth river stingray get?

The Bigtooth river stingray grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Bigtooth river stingray dangerous to humans?

The Bigtooth river stingray is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groottand-rivierrog sourced
English name
Bigtooth river stingray sourced
Scientific name
Potamotrygon henlei
Family
Potamotrygonidae
Other names
Tocantins River Ray verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
45.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Potamotrygon

More from the family Potamotrygonidae

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