Potamotrygon
Encyclopedia
Potamotrygon is a genus of freshwater
stingray
s native to the rivers of South America
. As of July 2006, FishBase
lists seventeen distinct species. The type
species is P. hystrix.
Freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon are sometimes kept as exotic aquarium
fish; though freshwater stingray of other genera do appear in the trade, most are from this genus. They are best kept with a deep, sandy substrate
, in which they bury themselves, often with only the eyes visible. They are not territorial with other animals and can be kept in groups, provided a large enough aquarium is provided. They are carnivorous bottom feeders and require strong filtration as they are rather sensitive to water conditions. Many species of stingray have been bred in captivity, and males can be determined by the presence of claspers as in other Chondrichthyans
.
Like other stingrays, the fishes of this genus have venom
ous barbs at the base of their tails, and are dangerous species to humans. It is said that the natives of South America fear the stingray more than they do the piranha
.
An undescribed type is referred to as the Itaituba river stingray or P14 (a P-number system is sometimes used by aquarists, similar to the L-number
system). This fish is superficially similar to P. henlei and P. leopoldi except for smaller spots and in larger number.
Fresh Water
Fresh Water is the debut album by Australian rock and blues singer Alison McCallum, released in 1972. Rare for an Australian artist at the time, it came in a gatefold sleeve...
stingray
Stingray
The stingrays are a group of rays, which are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes, and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae , Plesiobatidae , Urolophidae , Urotrygonidae , Dasyatidae , Potamotrygonidae The...
s native to the rivers of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. As of July 2006, FishBase
FishBase
FishBase is a comprehensive database of information about fish species . It is the largest and most extensively accessed online database on adult finfish on the web...
lists seventeen distinct species. The type
Holotype
A holotype is a single physical example of an organism, known to have been used when the species was formally described. It is either the single such physical example or one of several such, but explicitly designated as the holotype...
species is P. hystrix.
Freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon are sometimes kept as exotic aquarium
Aquarium
An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...
fish; though freshwater stingray of other genera do appear in the trade, most are from this genus. They are best kept with a deep, sandy substrate
Substrate (aquarium)
The substrate of an aquarium refers to the material used on the tank bottom. It can affect water chemistry, filtration, and the well-being of the aquarium's inhabitants, and is also an important part of the aquarium's aesthetic appeal...
, in which they bury themselves, often with only the eyes visible. They are not territorial with other animals and can be kept in groups, provided a large enough aquarium is provided. They are carnivorous bottom feeders and require strong filtration as they are rather sensitive to water conditions. Many species of stingray have been bred in captivity, and males can be determined by the presence of claspers as in other Chondrichthyans
Chondrichthyes
Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fishes are jawed fish with paired fins, paired nares, scales, two-chambered hearts, and skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone...
.
Like other stingrays, the fishes of this genus have venom
Venom
Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...
ous barbs at the base of their tails, and are dangerous species to humans. It is said that the natives of South America fear the stingray more than they do the piranha
Piranha
A piranha or piraña is a member of family Characidae in order Characiformes, an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers. In Venezuela, they are called caribes...
.
An undescribed type is referred to as the Itaituba river stingray or P14 (a P-number system is sometimes used by aquarists, similar to the L-number
L-number
The L-number system is a semi-scientific classification system of catfish based on photographs of shipments of tropical catfish of the family Loricariidae published by the aquarium magazine DATZ ....
system). This fish is superficially similar to P. henlei and P. leopoldi except for smaller spots and in larger number.
Species list
- Potamotrygon boesemani Rosa, M. R. de Carvalho & Almeida Wanderley, 2008
- Potamotrygon brachyuraShort-tailed river stingrayThe Short-tailed river stingray is a species of river stingray native to South America; they are known to inhabit Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina basins...
(Günther, 1880) (Short-tailed river stingray) - Potamotrygon constellata (VaillantLéon VaillantLéon Louis Vaillant was a French zoologist. He is most famous for his work in the areas of herpetology, malacology, and ichthyology...
, 1880) (Thorny river stingray) - Potamotrygon falkneri Castex & Maciel, 1963 (Largespot river stingray)
- Potamotrygon henlei (Castelnau, 1855) (Bigtooth river stingray)
- Potamotrygon humerosa Garman, 1913
- Potamotrygon hystrix (J. P. MüllerJohannes Peter MüllerJohannes Peter Müller , was a German physiologist, comparative anatomist, and ichthyologist not only known for his discoveries but also for his ability to synthesize knowledge.-Early years and education:...
& HenleFriedrich Gustav Jakob HenleFriedrich Gustav Jakob Henle was a German physician, pathologist and anatomist. He is credited with the discovery of the loop of Henle in the kidney. His essay "On Miasma and Contagia" was an early argument for the germ theory of disease...
, 1834) (Porcupine river stingrayPorcupine river stingrayThe porcupine river stingray, Potamotrygon hystrix, is a species of river stingray in the family Potamotrygonidae. It is found in the basins of the Paraná and Paraguay rivers....
) - Potamotrygon leopoldi Castex & Castello, 1970 (White-blotched river stingray)
- Potamotrygon magdalenae (A. H. A. Duméril, 1865) (Magdalena river stingray)
- Potamotrygon marinae Deynat, 2006
- Potamotrygon motoro (J. P. MüllerJohannes Peter MüllerJohannes Peter Müller , was a German physiologist, comparative anatomist, and ichthyologist not only known for his discoveries but also for his ability to synthesize knowledge.-Early years and education:...
& HenleFriedrich Gustav Jakob HenleFriedrich Gustav Jakob Henle was a German physician, pathologist and anatomist. He is credited with the discovery of the loop of Henle in the kidney. His essay "On Miasma and Contagia" was an early argument for the germ theory of disease...
, 1841) (Ocellate river stingray) - Potamotrygon ocellata (Engelhardt, 1912) (Red-blotched river stingray)
- Potamotrygon orbignyi (Castelnau, 1855) (Smooth back river stingray)
- Potamotrygon schroederi Fernández-Yépez, 1958 (Rosette river stingray)
- Potamotrygon schuhmacheri Castex, 1964
- Potamotrygon scobina Garman, 1913 (Raspy river stingray)
- Potamotrygon signata Garman, 1913 (Parnaiba river stingray)
- Potamotrygon tatianae J. P. C. B. da Silva & M. R. de Carvalho, 2011
- Potamotrygon tigrina M. R. de Carvalho, Sabaj Pérez & Lovejoy, 2011
- Potamotrygon yepezi Castex & Castello, 1970 (Maracaibo river stingray)