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Longtail river stingray (Plesiotrygon iwamae) — Potamotrygonidae

Longtail river stingray

Plesiotrygon iwamae

The Longtail river stingray (Plesiotrygon iwamae) is a freshwater fish of the family Potamotrygonidae that grows up to 58 cm.

Length
58 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The longtail river stingray is a freshwater stingray (Potamotrygonidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 58 cm across and has a round, flattened, drab-brown disc and an extraordinarily long, thread-like 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 Longtail river stingray?

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

Where does the Longtail river stingray live?

The Longtail river stingray lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Longtail river stingray get?

The Longtail river stingray grows to a maximum of about 58 cm.

Is the Longtail river stingray dangerous to humans?

The Longtail 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
Langstaart-rivierrog sourced
English name
Longtail river stingray sourced
Scientific name
Plesiotrygon iwamae
Family
Potamotrygonidae
Other names
Long-tailed river stingray sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud 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

More from the family Potamotrygonidae

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