Potamotrygon


Potamotrygon is a genus of freshwater stingrays in the family Potamotrygonidae native to the rivers of South America, and sometimes seen in the aquarium trade. It inhabits rivers of tropical and subtropical climates, especially those of the Amazon basin and is virtually present in all South American countries, except for Chile.
Like other stingrays, the fishes of this genus have venomous barbs at the base of their tails, and their stings are dangerous to humans. It is said that the natives of South America fear the stingray more than they do fear the piranha.
Potamotrygon vary considerably in color, pattern and size, with the maximum disc width ranging from in P. wallacei to in P. brachyura.

In the aquarium

Though freshwater stingray of other genera do appear in the trade, most are from Potamotrygon. 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.

Species

There are currently more than 30 recognized extant species in this genus:Potamotrygon adamastor Fontenelle, J. P. & de Carvalho, M. R., 2017 Potamotrygon albimaculata M. R. de Carvalho, 2016 Potamotrygon amandae Loboda & M. R. de Carvalho, 2013 Potamotrygon amazona Fontenelle, J. P. & de Carvalho, M. R., 2017 Potamotrygon boesemani R. S. Rosa, M. R. de Carvalho & Wanderley, 2008 Potamotrygon brachyura Potamotrygon constellata Potamotrygon falkneri Castex & Maciel, 1963 Potamotrygon garmani Fontenelle, J. P. & de Carvalho, M. R., 2017 Potamotrygon henlei Potamotrygon histrix Potamotrygon humerosa Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon jabuti M. R. de Carvalho, 2016 Potamotrygon leopoldi Castex & Castello, 1970 Potamotrygon limai Fontenelle, J. P. C. B. Silva & M. R. de Carvalho, 2014 Potamotrygon magdalenae Potamotrygon marinae Deynat, 2006 Potamotrygon marquesi Silva & Loboda, 2019Potamotrygon motoro Potamotrygon ocellata Potamotrygon orbignyi Potamotrygon pantanensis Loboda & M. R. de Carvalho, 2013 Potamotrygon rex M. R. de Carvalho, 2016 Potamotrygon schroederi Fernández-Yépez, 1958 Potamotrygon schuhmacheri Castex, 1964 Potamotrygon scobina Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon signata Garman, 1913 Potamotrygon tatianae J. P. C. B. Silva & M. R. de Carvalho, 2011 Potamotrygon tigrina M. R. de Carvalho, Sabaj Pérez & Lovejoy, 2011 Potamotrygon wallacei M. R. de Carvalho, R. S. Rosa & M. L. G. Araújo, 2016 Potamotrygon yepezi Castex & Castello, 1970

Extinct (fossil) species

Three species are extinct and only known from Tertiary fossil remains:
  • †Potamotrygon canaanorum
  • †Potamotrygon contamanensis
  • †''Potamotrygon rajachloeae''