All fish / Potamotrygonidae

Great River Stingray

Potamotrygon rex

Also known as king stingray, rex stingray, great river ray, tocantins stingray, p. rex, potamotrygon sp. tocantins, rex ray, กระเบนเรกซ์, ポタモトリゴン・レックス, pari rex, 帝王魟, 皇冠魟

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A large, heavy-bodied freshwater stingray with a dark brown to black disc covered in small yellow or orange spots, often with brighter rosette-like markings. It was only described in 2016 and is prized by advanced keepers for its striking pattern and impressive size.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

60 cm

Temperature

26 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

2000 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a pair or small group in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: prawns, mussel, fish fillet, earthworms, bloodworm and quality sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: middle and upper Tocantins River basin

Breeding

Livebearing: females give birth to a small litter of fully formed pups after a gestation of several months. Captive breeding happens in large, well-run systems, mainly in Asia, but needs a mature compatible pair and plenty of space.

Good to know

Adults reach a disc width of 60 cm or more, so they need a huge, very clean tank with a soft sand floor and excellent filtration. The tail spine is venomous and can cause very painful wounds, and keeping freshwater stingrays is restricted or banned in some places, so check local laws.