Edit Potamotrygon motoro

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Name

Scientific name

Potamotrygon motoro

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Potamotrygonidae

Common names

Motoro Stingray, P01, P03, P044

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

The motoro stingray, Potamotrygon motoro, is a freshwater stingray ranging across Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Ar…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

500mm

Aquarium size

Minimum length 240 cm, Minimum depth 90 cm, Minimum height 75 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–26°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

1–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Not recorded

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

This species has a very wide natural range, taking in parts of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. It's been recorded in the main…

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

An adult or pair will need a tank measuring at least 240 ∗ 90 ∗ 75 cm/~1620 litres.

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…

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 rocks if you wish. Ensure that any such furnishings are too heavy to be moved around or secured to the tank in some way, and that there is as much open swimming space as possible. Dim lighting is preferable, although once settled in most rays will also be active under brighter conditions. Plants that require rooting in the substrate will be eaten, but you could try species that can be attached to items of decor, such as Java fern or Anubias spp. Even these may not survive the rays' attention though.

Choice of substrate is to a large extent down to personal preference. Some hobbyists use river sand which is an excellent choice, especially for juveniles. It's arguably the closest representation of what the species encounters in nature. Others use standard aquarium gravel of varying grades. The third possiblity is simply to omit substrate completely. While this certainly allows for easier tank maintenance, it can make the set-up appear a little stark and unnatural. Rays also like to bury themselves in sand when stressed and are usually found in sandy or muddy habitats in nature so to deny them the option of cover seems rather cruel to us.

Filtration is one of the most important aspects of a ray set-up. A large and efficient biological filter is needed to cope with the amounts of biological waste produced by an active, predatory fish of this size. If possible choose a sump-type arrangement, as this allows most of the equipment to be located outside the tank. Not only will maintenance be far simpler but there is less chance of the rays destroying anything or worse, burning themselves by resting on a submerged heaterstat. Alternatively install one or more high qualty external canister filters. Aim to turn over the entire tank volume around four times per hour, and position the outflow from the filter so that there is a bit of a current running down the tank. If this is placed at the surface the resulting agitation will also provide the high oxygenation levels required by rays. If using a sump allowing the water to fall a couple of inches between sections will also oxygenate the water sufficiently.

Tank maintenance must be similarly stringent. Weekly water changes of around 50% should be considered standard for a ray tank. Although it's been proven that they can withstand fairly high levels of nitrates, build-ups of other nitrogenous wastes are not tolerated.

You'll also need a very tightly-fitting cover as rays will sometimes (particularly when feeding) come right up to the water surface and may breach as much as half their body. Attempting to retrieve a couple of feet of venomous fish from the floor would likely be a memorable experience for all the wrong reasons!

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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.

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DOI

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Water conditions

Temperature: 24 – 26 °C pH: 6.0 - 7.5 Hardness: 1 - 12°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 …

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. motoro is one of the most popular members of the genus with aquarists. Whilst it is quite easily obtainable and hardy once settled in, it does grow very lar…

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