The Freshwater Stingray


Freshwater Stingrays are considered one of the most difficult freshwater species to keep, however with careful maintenance, the correct care and responsible ownership, one can find that stingrays and be a treat to own. Unfortunately Freshwater Stingrays are illegal in some states in the US and in some places around the world. Check your country if it is legal before considerations on purchasing one. Stingrays require nitrates less than 30ppm at all times and pH should be between 6 and 7. Temperature also should be between 75 and 80 degree Fahrenheit. A minimum starter tank for a Teacup Stingray (another word for a juvenile stingray) would be 50 gallons; however this will have to be upgraded as the ray grows.


Freshwater Stingrays prefer to eat live foods like crayfish, ghost shrimp and molluscs; however they will accept earth worms, feeder fish, black worms and the like. Usually when introducing a ray to a new tank you should feed live foods to get them eating in the tank. Initially, once you get your new ray eating in the tank it becomes a little easier. A method for getting a ray acclimatised to your tank is the drip method.


Suitable tank mates can be Bala Sharks, Clown Loaches, Arrowanas, Oscars, large catfish, other rays and the like. Although there are several fish (including those just said) that can be kept with a ray, there still must always be precautions with any fish being with a ray. For example, an Oscar can be kept with a ray; however the water changes may need to double because of the amount of waste an Oscar produces. Another example – An Arrowana can be kept with a ray, however aggression might be a problem so you may need a larger tank. Different tank mates = different requirements. Just PM or post if you require more details.


Stingrays have a poisonous barb underneath there tail that can inflict a painful sting if stung. This must be taken note of and avoided, however stingrays will only sting when feeling in intense danger. A ‘Death curl’ is a position a stingray will show when it is sick and dying. Treatment must be taken immediately to avoid loss of your ray.


Here are a couple of different types of rays. I have begun with the more easier common freshwater species of rays.


Easy Rays

1. Potamotrygon Motoro, Motoro Ray - Definitely the most recommended for beginners, it grows to be 18 inches in diameter length, is hardy, common and is easy to keep.

2. Potamotrygon Leopoldi, Polka Dot Ray - This ray is reasonably easy to keep and feed, is active, yet grows to become 24 inches in length.

3. Potamotrygon hystrix, Hystrix Ray - A small ray, at 12 inches diameter it is not aggressive, however, depending on the condition the ray is when you bought it, these rays can be easy or difficult to keep.


Moderate Rays

4. Potamotrygon henlei, Black Ray - Similar to a “Polka-Dot Ray”, these rays can have several more spots and are not always black. It grows to be approximately 64 inches in diameter and is a moderate ray to keep.

5. Potamotrygon sp., Chocolate Stingray - A dark brown colour, this ray reaches 18 inches in diameter and has a hard disk texture. It is moderate to keep.

6. Potamotrygon menchacai, Tiger Stingray - With a 32 inch disk diameter a very long tail, a nervous personality and an expensive price tag, this ray not for beginners, but is hardy enough to make it into the moderate section of this report.


Difficult Rays

7. Paratrygon aiereba, Eyeblow stingray - An oval shaped ray which can aquire a disc size of 48 inches. It is very inactive and will only accept live foods. A difficult ray indeed,

8. Plesiotrygon iwamae, Antenna Ray - This massive ray originates from Peru in South america and grows to a whopping 1 metre in diameter. It also has a long tail obviosly then needing a huge tank. It is a beautiful violet colour with grey spots, it requires perfect water conditions and is incredibly difficult to keep.

9. Dasyatis breekeri, Leopard Stingray - Measuring approximately 16 inches in diameter, this ray in fact lives in south asia. It does not tolerate freshwater conditons for long, so a brackish aquarium maybe required at some point.


Other Rays

10. Potamotrygon brachyura, Ahaia Grandy Stingray - Just when you thought that no ray could exceed the disc diameter of the large Antenna Ray, we get this fat fella. At a maximum disc diamter of a jaw dropping two meters in disk diameter, this ray grows to become one of the largest rays in the world. However the tail is very short in length. These rays can be extremely expensive as well. Admist all this information, surprisingly, this ray is relatively easy to keep. It is still not recommended however, for its gigantous size.


- Freshwater Stingray Report End -