All fish / Potamotrygonidae

Magdalena River Stingray

Potamotrygon magdalenae

Also known as magdalena stingray, magdalena river stingray, colombian stingray, freshwater stingray, magdalenae ray, ポタモトリゴン・マグダレナエ, 马格达莱纳魟

One of the smaller freshwater stingrays, with a brown disc covered in small darker and paler speckles. Keepers value it as a ray that stays a more manageable size than most of its relatives while showing the same interesting bottom-dwelling behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a pair in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, shrimp, mussel, fish fillet and sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Colombia: Magdalena and Atrato river basins

Breeding

Livebearer: females give birth to a small litter of fully formed pups after several months of gestation. It has been bred in captivity, but this needs a very large tank, excellent water quality and a well-matched pair.

Good to know

The tail spine is venomous and can cause a very painful wound, so handle with great care. Needs a large floor area with soft sand and very clean water, and imports or keeping may be restricted in some countries.