Fire stingray and blue peacock bass swimming in Babaçulândia The fire stingray is a freshwater fish that is quite common in the Tocantins River and can exceed more than one meter in length. The animal is considered a "cousin" of the shark. Recently, one of them was seen swimming with peacock bass in the Babaçulândia region, north of Tocantins (see video above). ? Click here to follow the g1 TO channel on WhatsApp The video was recorded with the help of a drone and shared on social media, this July, by sport fisherman, Wanderson Costa. Biologist and doctor in Limnology, Oscar Vitorino, highlights that the animal is related to the shark as it is a cartilaginous fish that is part of the Class Chondrichthyes, which also includes saltwater species. The scientific names Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon orbignyi are used to refer to the fire stingray in Tocantins. "They have an interesting and different characteristic, which is fertilization and internal embryonic development. The female, whose young develop in the abdomen, comes out ready to feed", he explains. READ MORE Fishermen record stingray swimming with peacock bass in crystal clear waters in the Tocantins River; VIDEO Diver shows life, fish and landscapes hidden at the bottom of Lake Palmas; VIDEO Fire stingray is spotted in crystal clear waters in TO Disclosure/Wanderson Costa Accidents The fire stingray gets its name due to its color and the great risk of accidents with humans. Although they are not aggressive, stings happen during times when they are accidentally stepped on and use the stinger to protect themselves. "[Accidents] are especially painful due to the substances produced by the stingray, which involve its stinger, mixed with mucus that also harbors Gram-negative bacteria, such as Aeromonas, which have a high probability of infection and resistance to antibiotics", warns Oscar. In case of accidents with the animal, the main guideline is to avoid using a tourniquet or covering the affected area to avoid the proliferation of bacteria. Cases like this can lead to complex treatments, so it is important to remain calm. ? Wash with plenty of warm water, to reduce pain and alleviate the effect of the toxin, and seek immediate medical help. How does the animal feed? ?? Studies carried out in the Tocantins River show that the cartilaginous species has a diet mostly composed of aquatic invertebrates. According to biologist Hugo Buratti Neto, the stingray is considered a bottom predator that uses smell and electrical sensors to locate prey hidden in the sand or mud. Their diet includes: Small fish; Freshwater shrimp; Aquatic insects and their larvae; Snails and other invertebrates; Small crustaceans. Different from other species The expert explains that some characteristics of the fire stingray make it stand out from other species available in the Tocantins and Araguaia rivers. Unique coloration: the pattern of red or orange spots is one of the most striking among freshwater species; Restricted geographic distribution: found mainly in the Tocantins-Araguaia basin, unlike other species that have a wider distribution in the Amazon; Great ecological and ornamental value: due to its beauty, it is one of the most sought after species in the ornamental fish trade, and requires control over exploitation; Viviparous reproduction: like other stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon, the young develop inside the mother and are born fully formed, without laying eggs. See more news from the region on g1 Tocantins.