Freshwater Stingray (Potamotrygon motoro) Care Guide

A mesmerizing disc-shaped ray with beautiful eye-spot patterns on its dorsal surface. Has a venomous tail barb that can cause painful stings.

Overview

Potamotrygon motoro is a species in the family Potamotrygonidae. A mesmerizing disc-shaped ray with beautiful eye-spot patterns on its dorsal surface. Has a venomous tail barb that can cause painful stings. Requires a very large tank with sand substrate for burrowing, pristine water quality, and a specialized high-protein diet.

Taxonomy

Family: Potamotrygonidae
Genus: Potamotrygon
Scientific name: Potamotrygon motoro
Other names: Motoro Stingray
Origin: South America, Amazon Basin, Brazil

Habitat

Potamotrygon motoro is a freshwater stingray from the Amazon and adjacent basins of South America, including Brazil. It rests on sandy bottoms in slow rivers and floodplain lakes, hunting invertebrates and small fish, and bears a venomous tail spine.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 1000 L
Temperature: 26-30 °C
pH: 6-7
GH: 1-8 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 30-60 cm
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Difficulty: advanced

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 1x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: semi-aggressive
Position in tank: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Arowana, Large Catfish, Bichir
Avoid with: Small Fish, Bottom Dwellers, Shrimp

Breeding

Breeding strategy: live-bearer
Breeding difficulty: advanced