Edit Potamotrygon histrix

You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.

Name

Scientific name

Potamotrygon histrix

Described by

Authority Müller & Henle, Year 1839, Bracketed

Family

Potamotrygonidae

Common names

Porcupine Stingray, P06

Photograph credits

Not recorded

Summary

The porcupine stingray (P06), Potamotrygon histrix, is a freshwater stingray from the Rio Paraná and Rio Paraguay basins in Argentina and B…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

375mm

Aquarium size

Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–26°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

5–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraná

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Found in the Rio Paraná and Rio Paraguay basins in Argentina and Brazil. Supposed occurences in the Guyanas and Venezuela are likely to be a different species …

Habitat

Like other members of the genus it inhabits a variety of biotopes. These include sand banks, the shallows of major rivers and slow-moving tributaries with subs…

Aquarium size

A 72" x 24" x 24"/180cm x 60cm x 60cm/680 litre tank is just about enough for a single adult. A longer, wider tank is always better when keeping rays though, a…

Maintenance

Strictly speaking, decor isn't really necessary in a tank set up to house rays. You can however add some large chunks of bogwood, beech branches or smooth rock…

Water conditions

Temperature: 24 – 26 °C pH: 6.0 - 7.0 Hardness: 5 - 10°H

Diet

Wild rays feed chiefly on other fish and aquatic invertebrates, including worms and crustaceans. They're active fish with a high metabolic rate and as such wil…

Behaviour and compatibility

Rays are among the top predators in the ecosystems they populate in nature and are unsafe to keep with most other species. Conversely they also seem to prefer …

Rays are among the top predators in the ecosystems they populate in nature and are unsafe to keep with most other species. Conversely they also seem to prefer a quiet life and will often fail to thrive when kept alongside very aggressive or territorial companions. The best tankmates are large enough not to be eaten, peaceful and ideally occupy the upper parts of the tank. Some cichlids, such as Heros or Geophagus species work well, as do many bigger characins and cyprinids. Plenty of enthusiasts keep Asian or South American arowana with their rays, and in a roomy tank this can be a very striking combination. Other suitable options include Cichla or Datnioides spp., and in a tank with a very large footprint other bottom dwellers such as bichirs or Pimelodid catfish (Brachyplatystoma tigrinum is a popular albeit expensive choice). Obviously all these species grow to an impressive size so tank volume should be the primary consideration before any choices are made.

Other commonly chosen ray companions are recommended only reservedly. For example some ray keepers suggest that discus make good tankmates, while others have reported that smaller fish such as these are picked off by their rays at night. Similarly while many of the larger Loricariids would certainly make attractive additions, there are many documented instances of these suckermouth catfish attaching themsleves to the rays' delicate discs and causing injury. Many are also highly territorial. The common Hypostomus plecs are safe by all accounts, though.

In a tank with a great deal of bottom space, it's possible to keep a mixed-species group of Potamotrygon. However bear in mind that most will hybridise freely. Given the precarious conservation status of some species this really should be avoided wherever possible. More recently there has been a somewhat alarming rise in popularity for the so-called "bat" or "batman" rays. These abominations are the result of a genetic defect and have certain parts of the disc missing, usually at the rear edge and the area around the head. When viewed from above these do indeed resemble the sign of the fictional superhero.

Editing needs JavaScript. This is the text as it was last saved.

Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

Paste the address of the page that says this. What counts as a source

DOI

Paste a DOI and we will look up the rest of the reference. A DOI looks like 10.11646/zootaxa.4694.4.1, and most papers print it on the first page.

Title

Enter the title of the paper, book or page. If you leave it empty, we will use the website's address.

Authors

Separate authors with semicolons, e.g. Tan, H.H.; Ng, P.K.L.

Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

Enter the page that says this, e.g. 218 or 218–221.

Anything worth adding

Describe what you saw, or which part of the source says this.

Sexual dimorphism

Rays are easy to sex. Males have a pair sexual appendages known as "claspers", one on each pelvic fin. These are used to inseminate the female when mating and …

Reproduction

Potamotrygon species utilise a breeding strategy known as matrotrophic viviparity. The young fish (often referred to as "pups") develop inside the mother and a…

Notes

P. histrix is sometimes sold as P. sp. "C", and is much sought after in the hobby. The species is usually recommended as a good beginners' ray due to its relat…

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References