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Hystrix River Ray

Potamotrygon histrix

Freshwater South America Usually captive bred

One of the smaller freshwater stingrays, featuring fine reticulated markings across its disc. It requires an expansive footprint of fine sand and spotless, highly oxygenated water. Take extra precautions during maintenance because its caudal sting can deliver an intensely painful, venomous wound.

Also called: Freshwater stingray, Porcupine river stingray.

35 cm adult length, drawn to scale. flat body.

Outgrows a typical home tank. Check this fish against the adult size above before buying a juvenile. The minimum shown is the least it is kept in for good, not a comfortable size.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 35 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 700 L, at least 180 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 250 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 5 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 24 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6 to 7.2 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 2 to 10, KH 2 to 6 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Dim Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Predator Not territorial.
Swims in Near the bottom Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 12 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Experienced keepers only A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Hystrix River Ray is an carnivore that swims in the lowest part of the tank. It eats or uproots plants, so choose hard-leaved species or none. It digs, so anchor plants and keep hard rock off loose sand. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.