All fish / Potamotrygonidae

Amanda's Stingray

Potamotrygon amandae

Also known as amanda stingray, amandae stingray, freshwater stingray, paraná stingray, potamotrygon amandae, paraguay stingray, ポタモトリゴン・アマンダエ, 阿曼达魟

A medium-sized river stingray from the Paraná and Paraguay rivers, with a brown to greyish disc covered in orange or yellowish spots and rings, often with darker blotches. It was described in 2016 and had long been sold as forms of other Potamotrygon species. Keepers value it as one of the more manageable stingrays for size, with an engaging, food-recognising personality.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

1500 litres

Keep as

Singly, in pairs or a small group in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, shrimp, mussels, white fish fillet, bloodworm and sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Paraná-Paraguay river basin (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina)

Breeding

Live-bearing: females give birth to a small litter of fully formed pups after a gestation of around three months. Captive breeding is regularly achieved by experienced keepers with mature pairs and excellent water quality.

Good to know

The tail spine is venomous and can cause a very painful wound, so handle with care; the disc grows wide and needs a large, open sandy floor with powerful filtration. Brazilian export of many Potamotrygon species is restricted and keeping venomous rays may be licensed or banned in some areas.