Keeping freshwater stingrays is not for everyone. It requires a lot of space, time, and knowledge.
Freshwater stingrays are growing more common because of their pleasant personalities. They are peaceful, active critters that enjoy interacting with their caretakers.
Yet, despite their gentle natures, they have one hazardous feature: their venomous barb.
These fish are not a good choice for new or intermediate fish keepers. Only experts should attempt to house these animals.
Freshwater stingrays have specific care requirements and are very sensitive to water quality. Keeping their enormous aquariums clean can be challenging. They can also get expensive to feed.
What Are Freshwater Stingrays?
Freshwater stingrays are diverse animals. Some live solely in freshwater, while others can tolerate some salinity.
Freshwater stingrays are part of the order “Batoidea.” They are true rays like their marine cousins and are relatives of sawfish and sharks.
These fish live in tropical waters around the world. Their exact habitats differ depending on the species.
Some species are smaller and do okay in home aquariums. Others can grow several feet long and are better left to the wild or professional aquariums. There’s no such thing as a truly “small” freshwater stingray. Even the smallest species grows to about 1 ft (0.3 m) long.
Unique Characteristics
Like sharks, stingrays don’t have bones. Instead, they have skeletons comprising cartilage that allows for more flexibility.
They have thousands of electrosensitive pores called “Ampullae of Lorenzini.” These pores enable them to sense other organisms’ electric fields. Sensing these electric fields help them capture prey and avoid predators. In particular, the pores allow them to hunt in complete darkness. They can sense animals hiding under the substrate.
Which Freshwater Stingrays Are Most Famous?
There are over 30 species of freshwater stingrays around the world. Listing them all here will be impossible; we’ll cover seven of the most common species.
1. Tiger River Stingray
Tiger river stingrays have bodies that are deep black with striking gold-orange spots. The bright, contrasting colors have earned this fish the name “tiger” river stingray.
Researchers aren’t sure why these stingrays are so colorful. Most freshwater stingrays have duller colors.
They speculate the bright colors may be a warning sign to ward off predators. Yet, stingrays are large and have oddly-shaped bodies. As a result, they don’t have many predators.
The unique spines along their tails set them apart from their relatives. Other species have similar spines, though they are more closely grouped together.
History
Scientists don’t know much else about the biology of this species. Tiger river stingrays weren’t officially recognized as their own species until 2011. There is more speculation about this species than there is fact.
Range
The tiger river stingray comes from the Amazon — the Nanay River in Peru. It is a popular pet in Asia, particularly in Japan and China.
Hobbyists say these stingrays are challenging to care for compared to other species.
Conservation
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed this species in 2014. They list the species as “endangered” with a “decreasing” population trend.
The primary threat to this species is collection and export for the aquarium trade. Other threats include habitat degradation due to fishing and water pollution.
- Common Names: Tiger River Stingray
- Scientific Name: Potamotrygon tigrina
- Disk Diameter: Up to 31 in (80 cm)
- Home Region: Peruvian Upper Amazon
- Price: $800-$2,000
2. Ocellate River Stingray
Ocellate river stingrays are colorful with polka-dot patterning. Their spots are a vibrant yellowish-orange surrounded by dark rings. The rest of their bodies are brown or gray. The colors are not uniform amongst all individuals of this species. The colors vary based on where the stingray lives.
These stingrays are moderate in size, with most weighing about 22-33 lbs (10-15 kg). Yet, the largest ocellate river stingray on record was an astounding 77 lbs (35 kg).
Ocellate river stingrays have eyes that sit at the top of their bodies. The position of their eyes allows them to see almost 360 degrees around them. They only have blind spots directly in front of and behind the head.
Pest Controllers
These stingrays are important across the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná-Paraguay River systems.
Ocellate river stingrays keep the pest populations in check. The waters of the Amazon are dark and murky. The stingrays use their ampullae and keen sense of smell to target prey.
Most of their diet comprises insects, helping to keep the populations in check.
Conservation
There is not enough available data for the IUCN to assess this species.
- Common Names: Ocellate River Stingray, South American Freshwater Stingray, Black River Stingray, Peacock-Eye Stingray
- Scientific Name: Potamotrygon motoro
- Disk Diameter: Up to 2 ft (0.6 m)
- Home Region: Across South America
- Price: $200-$400
3. Giant Freshwater Whipray
As the name suggests, Giant freshwater whiprays are large animals that often grow about 7 ft (2.3 m) in diameter. The largest giant freshwater whiprays grow up to 16.5 ft (5 m) long, including the tail.
The largest individual on record weighed an astounding 1,300 lbs (590 kg). How accurate this record is is up for debate. The sheer size of these animals makes it difficult and awkward to weigh them accurately.
Experts say these stingrays may be the largest freshwater fish species on the planet.
Their bodies are wide and flat with brown to gray colors. The tails are long and whip-like, giving them the name giant freshwater “whipray.”
Habitat & Range
These stingrays come from the large freshwater rivers of Southeast Asia. They live along the margins of the rivers where the water is shallow.
Giant freshwater whiprays primarily inhabit freshwater, though they sometimes live in brackish estuaries. Researchers think that females may move into brackish water for reproduction.
Lacking Information
Unfortunately, researchers don’t know much else about this specie’s biology. Experts aren’t sure how many individuals remain or if they can swim in pure saltwater.
Giant freshwater whiprays are a mystery because they hide at the bottom of rivers. Their meat is not desirable, and fishers do not target them.
Their size also makes them challenging to catch. Whiprays may drag small boats around for hours before the fishers can free them. There are even some reports of whiprays dragging boats underwater.
Keeping Whiprays As Pets
Due to their size, whiprays are not suitable for most home aquariums. Yet, they are growing in popularity in the aquarium hobby. More and more of these individuals are becoming targets for the aquarium trade.
Conservation
The IUCN lists this species as “endangered” with a decreasing population trend. Their largest threat is habitat degradation. Due to degradation, these rays no longer live in many regions they used to.
In 2016, 70 giant freshwater whiprays died from pollution. An ethanol plant discharged cyanide waste. Today, it’s rare to see stingrays in nearby areas.
- Common Names: Giant freshwater whipray
- Scientific Name: Urogymnus polylepis
- Disk Diameter: Up to 7 ft (2.1 m) and 1,300 lbs (590 kg)
- Home Region: Southeast Asia and Indonesia
- Price: Varies
4. Atlantic Stingray
Atlantic stingrays are smaller rays with yellow to brown bodies with white undersides. Their tails are long and whip-like, and they have pointed noses. Their oval bodies combined with their pointed noses make them appear spade-like.
Range & Habitat
Atlantic stingrays are not strictly a freshwater species. They spend much time in saltwater and brackish water as well as freshwater.
They live in freshwater rivers, brackish estuaries, and lagoons. In saltwater, they live along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Atlantic stingray’s habitat ranges from the Chesapeake Bay to southern Florida. Their range expands westward to the Gulf of Mexico.
They prefer warmer waters and can migrate a great distance. They spend the colder months down south and the warmer months further north.
Hunting
Clever hunters, they dig into the sand to find crustaceans, mollusks, and invertebrates. They hold their prey against the current and let the water wash away the sand before eating.
Predators & Parasites
In saltwater, their primary predators include bull, tiger, and great white sharks. In freshwater, alligators are their main predators.
They face danger from parasitic fish louse (Argulus sp.). These parasites attach to the surface of the stingrays and feed on their skin mucus. The parasites cause wounds that can lead to infection.
Conservation
The IUCN lists this species as “least concern” with a decreasing population trend.
The freshwater populations are on the decline due to habitat degradation.
The water quality is suffering due to stormwater runoff and wastewater discharge. The lack of water quality creates algae blooms. The algae blooms make the water more intolerable to stingrays. As a result, the Atlantic stingray’s reproductive rates are diminishing.
- Common Names: Atlantic Stingray
- Scientific Name: Hypanus sabinus
- Disk Diameter: 12-14 in (30.5-35.6 cm)
- Home Region: Atlantic Coast, North America
- Price: $100-$400
5. Xingu River Stingray
The Xingu River stingray is one of the most popular stingrays in the aquarium industry. Their bold, contrasting colors make them highly desirable.
Their bodies are black with white rings and spots, giving them unique markings. The dark, spotted pattern helps these stingrays to blend in with the riverbeds. Researchers say the white spots resemble the sun bouncing off the bottom of the river.
They tend to have shorter lifespans when kept in captivity. These stingrays live between seven and 15 years. The longest-lived stingrays were wild.
Habitat & Range
The Xingu River stingray is native to the Xingu River basin of Brazil. Some populations have also migrated to the Curuá and Iriri rivers. They spend most of their time at the bottom of the river along the rocky substrate.
Reproduction
One of the most unique characteristics of this species is the number of young it produces. Most freshwater stingrays only have up to four pups per litter. The Xingu River stingray averages seven to eight pups per litter and can have up to 12.
Conservation
The IUCN lists this species as “vulnerable” with a decreasing population trend.
The Xingu River stingray is one of the rarest freshwater stingray species. Their biggest threat is habitat loss due to human activity. Gold mining, fishing, logging, dam construction, and increased agriculture are the primary culprits.
They are facing increasing pressure from the aquarium trade and are heavily fished. Fishers target neonate and juvenile individuals. Targeting young animals makes it difficult for the species to replenish their numbers.
Fortunately, the need for wild individuals has decreased somewhat over the years. There has been some success with captive breeding. The need for wild-caught individuals isn’t as prevalent.
- Common Names: Xingu River Stingray, Black Devil Stingray, Black Diamond Stingray
- Scientific Name: Potamotrygon leopoldi
- Disk Diameter: Up to 11.8-15.7 in (30-40 cm)
- Home Region: Xingu River, Brazi
- Price: $200-$1,000
6. Rio Negro ‘Hystrix’ Stingray
Rio Negro ‘Hystrix’ stingrays have dark brown markings along their bodies. They also have dermal denticles covering the surface of their bodies and tails. Dermal denticles are uneven, rough, spiky scales.
They are the smallest freshwater stingray species that we know of. Their small size is driving their popularity in the aquarium trade.
These stingrays are rare in the aquarium industry. More are beginning to crop up as their popularity grows.
“True” Hystrix
They are often confused with Potamotrygon Hystrix, the “true” Hystrix. True Hystrix only live in southern Brazil and Argentina. Plus, they rarely enter the aquarium trade.
Range
These freshwater stingrays are native to the Rio Negro River in Brazil.
A Newly Discovered Species
The Rio Negro ‘Hystrix’ stingray only received its scientific name in 2016.
The name “Potamotrygon wallacei” comes from the famous British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace. In the late 19th century, he headed the first scientific exploration of the Rio Negro River.
Conservation
The IUCN has not yet assessed this species.
- Common Name: Porcupine River Stingray, Rio Negro Hystrix Stingray, Cururu
- Scientific Name: Potamotrygon wallacei
- Disk Diameter: Up to 12 in (30.5 cm)
- Home Region: Upper Reaches of Rio de la Plata
- Price: Varies
7. Pearl Stingray
The pearl stingray is famous for its contrasting colors and interesting patterns. The body is black with large, uneven gold-orange rings. Large blotches sit inside each of the rings, and smaller spots line the outer rim of the ray’s body.
Range
The pearl stingray is native to the Tapajós River in Brazil.
Expensive Animals
Pearl stingrays are common in the aquarium trade yet are rarely seen in the United States. Brazilian export restrictions make this species extremely expensive in the United States.
Most pearl stingray hobbyists live in Asia.
Breeders in Asia and Brazil have begun producing many of these species. With the increase in captive individuals, the prices may drop in the coming years.
Conservation
The IUCN has not yet assessed this species.
- Common Names: Pearl Stingray
- Scientific Name: Potamotrygon jabuti
- Disk Diameter: 17.3-31.9 in (44-81 cm)
- Home Region: Brazil
- Price: $300-$1,000
Freshwater Stingray Care, In A Nutshell
Consult this freshwater stingray care sheet for quick care tips:
| Aquarium Size | 200+ gallons |
| Water Temperature | 75-82°F (23.9-27.8°C) |
| pH | 6.8-7.6 |
| Alkalinity | 18-70 ppm |
| Salinity | Varies by Species |
| Safe Water Levels | Ammonia: 0 ppm Nitrites: 0 ppm Nitrates: <10 ppm |
| Substrate | Bare Bottom or Sand |
| Decorations | Smooth Rocks & Driftwood with Vegetation |
| Tank Mates | Other stingrays Large, peaceful fish |
| Diet | Carnivorous FishInvertebrates (including insects) Crustaceans |
| Common Health Problems | Fish Lice Fungal Infections |
How To Care For Freshwater Stingrays
Freshwater stingrays have particular needs and are sensitive to poor water quality. They eat a lot, create a lot of waste, and produce lots of ammonia. Despite their popularity, they are challenging to care for. Stingrays are only suitable for expert aquarium keepers.
Tank Size
Freshwater stingrays are large, active animals that need lots of space to roam around.
Length and width are more important than height. They spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank along the substrate.
The tank should be at least 72-84 in (183-213 cm) in length and 24-36 in (61-91.4 cm) in width.
125 gallons is the bare minimum required for juvenile stingrays. 200 gallons is the smallest needed for most adult stingrays available on the market. Larger species may need more space than this.
Usually, prospective stingray owners need to have a custom aquarium built.
Regardless of the species, it’s best to provide more than 200 gallons when possible. Extra space gives them more exercise and room to explore. It’s not possible to provide these animals with an aquarium that is too large.
Water Parameters
The water conditions that freshwater stingrays need make them hard to care for. Despite living in freshwater, their bodies are biochemically designed like saltwater fish.
They produce a large amount of urine. The excess urine balances their internal chemistry with their freshwater conditions.
Urine contains a lot of ammonia which is harmful to their living conditions. Stingrays are highly sensitive to ammonia.
The large amount of ammonia production is not a problem in the wild. The large water systems in which stingrays live dilute the ammonia, and the currents take it away. In closed aquarium habitats, there is nowhere for the ammonia to go.
Stingrays are also large animals that eat an enormous amount of meaty foods. As a result, they create a lot of feces, and keeping their tank clean can be a challenge. Their feces are loose and fall apart when disturbed by movement.
Nitrates, pH, & Salinity
Keep water parameters within these ranges:
- pH: 6.8-7.6
- Salinity: Varies by species
- Alkalinity: 18-70 ppm
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: >10 ppm
Freshwater stingrays are far more sensitive to nitrates than most fish. Keepers should aim to keep the nitrates lower than 10 ppm to keep their stingrays healthy.
These fish are slightly more forgiving about the pH of their water. They can handle slightly acidic and basic water between 6.8 and 7.6.
Though these fish are “freshwater” stingrays, they may need some salt in their tank. In the wild, some freshwater stingray species live in brackish conditions. How much salinity a stingray can tolerate depends on the species. Prospective owners should research the species they choose before buying them.
What Kind Of Water Should You Use?
Because of its purity, many stingray owners prefer to use reverse osmosis (RO) water.
In short, reverse osmosis removes all impurities and minerals from the water. Since it removes healthy minerals, hobbyists must add them to the water.
Temperatures
Freshwater stingrays are tropical animals. They need temperatures between 75-82°F (23.9-27.8°C).
Water heaters are necessary to keep freshwater stingrays warm. In-tank heaters must have a heater guard to prevent the stingrays from being burnt.
Filters
As large animals, freshwater stingrays create a lot of waste. They need large filtration systems to keep their aquariums clean and healthy.
Canister filters are a must for freshwater stingrays. The large size of canister filters makes them best equipped for dealing with a lot of waste.
Canister filters are superior for biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration. Aquarists can stock their canister filters with large amounts of filter media. These remove chemicals and keep the nitrogen cycle in check.
Substrate
Stingrays travel with their bellies touching the bottom of the substrate. They prefer fine sand as it is easiest on their undersides — silica-free sand is best.
Another option is to leave the bottom of the aquarium bare. It doesn’t look as nice, though it is easier to clean and gentle on their undersides. They also make it easier for stingrays to find their food. Still, they don’t offer much enrichment.
Sand-covered aquariums look nicer and are better for the mental enrichment of stingrays. The sand encourages them to go about their natural behaviors. They will bury, digg, and hunt in the sand.
Decorations
It’s best to avoid decorations in most cases. They take up a lot of space that the stingray could use for swimming. Most decorations, like rocks and driftwood, are sharp and can cause injury.
Rocks and driftwood with smooth surfaces are fine, though they’re not necessary. Decorations are more to enhance the aquarium’s look. They don’t offer much stimulation like they do for other fishes.
Live vegetation can help spruce up the aquarium. Aquarists must attach plants to rocks or driftwood. Stingrays constantly dig through sand and will uproot plants.
Cleaning
Staying on top of weekly water changes is a must for freshwater stingrays. They produce a lot of waste, making it easy for their aquarium to get dirty.
Usually, we don’t recommend removing more than 30% of the water during a water change as it can shock the fish. Yet, larger water changes are necessary for stingrays’ due to their waste production.
Removing 50% of the water at a time is not unusual. Avoid removing more than 50% when possible to avoid shocking these sensitive fish.
Tank Mates
Freshwater stingrays are carnivorous opportunists who will go after any smaller fish.
Stingrays are relatively slow-moving and cannot catch many fish species during the day. Instead, they wait until nighttime when the fish rests and ambush them.
Despite eating smaller fish, stingrays are peaceful. Larger or aggressive species will bully them and don’t make good tank mates.
Aquarists should avoid plecos. Although not aggressive, plecos will attach themselves to the tops of the stingrays. They rasp the mucus from the stingrays’ bodies which can cause infection and stress.
Keep Stingrays With Other Stingrays
The best option is to house a stingray with other freshwater stingrays. They get along well with members of their species. They can also live with other kinds of freshwater stingrays.
Other Peaceful Tank Mates
Aquarists can choose larger, peaceful fish. Choose ones that will ignore the stingrays and are too big to fit in their mouths.
Pick fish that spend most of their time in the upper water column so they aren’t invading the space of the stingrays.
Tank mates ideal for freshwater stingrays include:
- Other freshwater stingrays
- Silver dollars
- Pacu
- Peaceful cichlids (e.g., angelfish, severums, & geophagus)
- Large gourami
- Knifefish
- Arowanas
- Tinfoil barbs
- Bichirs
Fish freshwater stingrays are likely to eat include:
- Tetras
- Danios
- Livebearers (e.g., mollies, platys, guppies, etc. )
- Rainbowfish
- Other small fish
Aggressive fish not safe for freshwater stingrays include:
- Large and/or aggressive cichlids
- Predatory catfish
- Other large, semi-aggressive to aggressive fish
- Plecostomus
Can You Handle Your Freshwater Stingray?
Most aquarists don’t consider handling when they decide to buy fish. Shy creatures that need to remain in the water to survive, it’s rarely possible to “handle” fish.
Freshwater stingrays are one of the few exceptions. Of course, they cannot come out of the water, or they will die. Still, they are friendly and not afraid of hands.
Freshwater stingrays grow fond of their caretakers and will come up to the edges of their tanks. Many stingrays will take food right out of their caretaker’s hands. They also seem to enjoy the touch of gentle hands.
Beware Their Venomous Barbs
Caretakers must use caution when interacting with their stingrays. Though they’re generally peaceful, they have an effective defense system. They have venomous barbs at the ends of their tails for defense.
The toxin inside these barbs is more potent than the toxins of saltwater stingrays. They have more venom-secreting cells along their barbs than marine species. The extra cells allow them to create more toxic mucus.
Exactly how toxic their venom is depends on the species. The effects of the toxin also depend on the water chemistry, diet, and age of the stingray.
The toxin of juvenile stingrays contains a mix of peptides that simply cause pain. The adults are more dangerous. Their venom contains proteins that cause inflammation and tissue death.
Stingray toxin is excruciating and cardiotoxic, meaning it affects the heart.
Still, most people receive stings along their arms or legs. Stings along the extremities are rarely life-threatening.
What Should You Do If You’re Stung?
We are not medical professionals and cannot tell victims what they should do if they are stung. Victims should seek emergency care immediately.
Few hospitals will have antivenom; fortunately, it’s rarely necessary. The stings can cause necrosis without treatment, making medical intervention a necessity.
Sometimes, the barb breaks off inside the skin, too. Victims should never attempt to remove the barbs themselves. Always have a professional take care of it. Stingray barbs are serrated and can tear the flesh if it’s not removed correctly.
Plus, it’s impossible to tell where the barb is stuck once it enters the skin. It may look like it’s only attached to the skin’s surface. Yet, if it goes far enough, it is sharp enough to pierce bone.
Should You Remove A Stingray’s Barbs?
Some aquarists err on the side of caution and clip their stingray’s barbs.
Removing a stingray’s barb is quite controversial, like removing a cat’s claws.
Most aquarists agree that dealing with the barbs is a part of keeping stingrays.
Stingrays are not aggressive animals and do not attack unprovoked. Most stingray stings occur when the keeper grabs at the animal or provokes it in some other way.
Removing the barb is stressful for the stingray. It is their only defense; their bodies regrow the barb after only a few months. Aquarists must have the barb removed several times a year.
Still, barbs are modified scales that contain no nerves or blood vessels. While the procedure is stressful for the animal, it at least doesn’t cause them pain.
Generally, home aquarists choose not to clip their stingrays. There is little danger since they are the only ones working with them. Stingrays recognize their owners and aren’t fearful of them.
Clipping may be something to consider for those with lots of guests. Stingrays are more skittish around strangers and are more likely to use their barbs.
Pet stores and aquariums with stingray touch tanks must trim their stingrays’ barbs. Cutting the barbs offers safety to the guests and employees.
Feeding
Freshwater stingrays are carnivores. Feeding is one of the most difficult aspects of caring for them.
They need large amounts of meaty foods high in protein. Freshwater stingrays should receive feedings several times a day.
Live or frozen foods good for freshwater stingrays:
- Tilapia
- Catfish
- Carp
- Raw shrimp
- Raw scallops
- Raw mussels
- Black worms
- Tubifex worms
- Blood worms
Freshwater stingrays have teeth and can chew their food. Leave the heads, scales, and shells on their food. They often contain nutrients that are good for stingrays.
Freshwater stingrays prefer invertebrates over fish. Offering them worms is preferable to offering fish. Aquarists can even provide their stingrays with the occasional terrestrial invertebrate snack.
Stingrays are opportunistic. They are likely to eat fish they can catch around their aquarium because they’re there. Yet, in the wild, they don’t consume fish very often.
Foods that make good snacks include:
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Beetles
Always research the preferences of the stingray species before feeding any foods. Some prefer certain foods over others. The Xingu River stingray, for example, prefers hard-shelled animals like mussels and clams.
How Do You Feed Stingrays?
Many aquarists simply toss chunks of food into the water for their stingrays to search for.
Aquarists with many stingrays may need to hand-feed their animals. The larger stingrays may prevent the smaller ones from getting enough food.
Stingrays become pretty friendly with their caretakers. They have no qualms about taking food from them. Aquarists should always use tongs to hand-feed. Tongs protect hands and arms against teeth and tail barbs.
Breeding
Breeding freshwater stingrays isn’t that difficult. Breeders need patience, plenty of space, and lots of food.
The exact needs of the stingrays during breeding depend on the species.
Sexual Maturity
Before breeding the stingrays, aquarists must be sure their stingrays are sexually mature. They must also ensure they have both males and females.
Sexual maturity varies depending on the species. In general, juveniles sexually mature between 18 months and two years.
Sexing Your Stingrays
Sexing freshwater stingrays is easy. Like sharks, male stingrays have a pair of specialized anal fins called “claspers.” They use their claspers to fertilize females internally.
Conversely, females lack these claspers. Instead, they have a pair of oviducts where the male inserts his claspers. There is a uterus inside each oviduct that can carry one baby. Females can carry two babies from separate fathers.
Males tend to be slightly smaller than females. Females have thicker skin because males bite at them during courting.
Providing Lots Of Food
Stingrays have massive appetites under normal conditions. Pregnant females need even more food than usual.
Providing enough food is the most critical step in breeding. Females that don’t receive enough food will reabsorb their developing young. Doing this allows them to get the nutrients they were lacking.
The Pregnancy
Stingrays are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young.
It can be hard to tell whether the female is pregnant.
Most aquarists assume their female is pregnant once the male stops harassing her. They can tell that she is pregnant by the hormones she puts off. The female’s appetite also decreases slightly, though this can be hard to tell.
As the female approaches birth, her pregnancy is more prominent. The backside of her body begins to swell. Sometimes, seeing the young moving around inside her is even possible.
The incubation period lasts for about three months.
Aquarists must provide the mother with plenty of food during this time.
It’s crucial to keep the water quality in tip-top shape. Performing regular water changes is more important than ever.
The Young
The mother usually gives birth at night or early morning when it is dark. Giving birth at these times protects the young from predators. She releases her babies into the middle of the water column.
Immediately move the young to their own tank after birth; adults may eat them.
At birth, juveniles are only about 4 in (10.2 cm) long. They have a yolk sack that they keep for nutrition for the first three to four days.
Despite having their yolk sack, aquarists should immediately offer the juveniles food. Ghost shrimp, small earthworms, and black worms are suitable foods.
As they age, aquarists can wean them onto frozen foods like shrimp and fish.
Common Health Conditions
Fish lice and fungal infections are the most common problems for freshwater stingrays.
Fish Lice
Small, parasitic crustaceans, fish lice feed on the stingray’s blood. Fish lice are relatively easy to spot on stingrays — they create small wounds along the body.
Fish lice can cause bacterial infections and weaken the stingray’s immune system. They may also cause breathing problems by accumulating around the stingray’s gills.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are common, especially in individuals new to the tank. Stingrays usually develop fungal infections because of stress or unideal water conditions.
Picking A Stingray
Aquarists should research each available species of freshwater stingray. Then, they can decide which will work best for their homes.
After deciding on a species, hobbyists must find a place to buy their stingray. There aren’t many places that sell them, though the industry is growing. It’s best to see the stingray in person when possible.
There are online retailers for buyers who do not live near any breeders. Check out the breeders and ensure they take proper care of their animals before buying from them.
Signs Of A Healthy Stingray
It’s easiest for aquarists to pick a healthy stingray when they can see the animal in person. Avoid stingrays with open wounds or sores.
Ask the employees to feed the stingray. Healthy stingrays will ravenously go after the food.
Prospective buyers will want to assess the animal’s poop. Many freshwater stingrays are wild-caught and may carry internal parasites. Sizable, dark, curly poop shows the stingray is healthy.
Signs Of A Sick Stingray
A poor appetite is a sign of a sick stingray unless it is a new arrival. Likewise, poop that is pale or stringy is a sign that the animal has internal parasites.
A “death curl” is a sign of a very sick stingray. A death curl refers to the upward curling of the outer edges of the animal’s body. It’s normal for the outer edges to curl upward occasionally while the stingray swims. Still, they should not curl constantly.
A death curl usually means a stingray is severely stressed. Researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause; it may relate to nervous system injuries.
FAQs
Is It Legal To Keep A Stingray?
Whether keeping a stingray as a pet is legal varies from state to state and country.
In the United States, it is illegal to own a freshwater stingray (Potamotrygon sp.) in many states:
- California
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- Nevada
- Hawaii
- Utah
- Texas
Ownership is not illegal in Florida or Colorado. Still, both states require the keeper to have proper permits.
Do Freshwater Stingrays Have Teeth?
Yes, freshwater stingrays have teeth, though they are nothing to be frightened of. The teeth are flat and comprise modified placoid scales, the same kind of scales that cover a shark’s body.
Stingrays will not bite humans on purpose and are not aggressive. Biting may occur during hand-feeding, though it’s not painful. Still, this is why it’s best to use tongs while hand-feeding.
Like sharks, stingrays continuously lose and regrow their teeth throughout their lives. They never have a consistent number of teeth in their mouths.
The type of teeth they have varies from species to species based on what they eat. Some stingrays have teeth that sit on top of each other, while others have two to four plates of teeth.
During the mating season, a male’s teeth become sharp. The sharpness allows them to grip the female while breeding. After the mating season, the teeth lose their sharpness.
How Did Steve Irwin Die?
Steve Irwin, the beloved “crocodile hunter” conservationist, died from a stingray barb. Most stings occur along the arms and legs. Steve was extremely unlucky in that the barb went into his heart, causing him to go into cardiac arrest.
There is some speculation that Steve may have lived if he hadn’t ripped the barb out of his chest. He panicked, and ripping out the barb caused excess damage.
Still, this is only speculation, and no one knows for sure.
