All fish / Potamotrygonidae

Upper Amazon raspy freshwater stingray

Potamotrygon amazona

Also known as raspy river stingray, reticulated stingray, orbignyi stingray, amazon stingray, freshwater stingray, rio negro stingray, ปลากระเบนน้ำจืด, pari air tawar, 淡水エイ, 淡水魟

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This river stingray has a round, flattened disc in brown to grey with a fine darker net or worm-like pattern and a rough, raspy upper surface along the midline. It was described in 2017 after being split from the Potamotrygon orbignyi group, so older stock sold as reticulated or orbignyi rays may belong to this species. Keepers value it for its graceful gliding movement and calm, inquisitive feeding behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

25 to 30 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.2

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a pair in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, prawns, mussels, white fish, bloodworm and quality sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: Rio Negro and Rio Branco basins and the middle Amazon (Amazonas and Roraima states)

Breeding

It gives birth to live young after internal fertilisation, with a small litter of fully formed pups. Captive breeding of river stingrays is possible in very large, well-run systems but remains uncommon for this newly recognised species.

Good to know

The tail spine is venomous and can cause a very painful wound, so handle with care, and the ray needs a huge footprint, soft sand and spotless water with zero ammonia and nitrite. Brazil tightly controls exports of Potamotrygon species and some countries restrict keeping them, so check local rules before buying.