Porcupine river stingray
| Porcupine river stingray | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | P. hystrix
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| Binomial name | |
| Potamotrygon hystrix (Müller & Henle 1834)
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Trygon hystrix Müller & Henle 1841 | |
The porcupine river stingray, Potamotrygon hystrix, is the a species of river stingray in the family Potamotrygonidae, the type of the Potamotrygon genus. It is found in the basins of the Paraná and Paraguay rivers.[2]
Appearance
Almost circular in shape, it grows up to 40 centimetres (16 in) in diameter and 70 centimetres (28 in) in length, including the tail. The upper surface is covered with denticles (sharp tooth-like scales). The coloration is light brownish with mottled patterns on the dorso, and pink on the ventral side. As with all stingrays, the mouth and gill openings are on the underside, and the eyes and gills exits are on the dorsal side.
Sting
Like other stingrays, the fishes of this genus have venomous barbs at the base of their tails, and are dangerous species to humans.[3][4] The sting is replaced at roughly six months intervals. It is an almost flat, barbed structure, that can reach 6 centimetres (2.4 in) in length, and is covered with a toxic mucus, making any attack a very painful one.[5]
It is said that the natives of South America fear the stingray more than they do the piranha.[6] However, those are not aggressive fish - they are not dangerous unless stepped on or otherwise threatened.
Aquarium
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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 (any spike in NO2 levels can kill them with no warning).[3]
Like many species of stingray, P. hystrix have been bred in captivity, but they require a large tank. The male should be smaller than the female, as it is rather aggressive, bitting the female during the mating process.[7] Males can be determined by the presence of claspers as in other Chondrichthyans.[8]
References
- ^ Template:IUCN2008
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Potamotrygon hystrix". FishBase. November 2009 version.
- ^ a b Dawes, John (2001). Complete Encyclopedia of the Freshwater Aquarium. New York: Firefly Books Ltd. ISBN 1-55297-544-4..
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Species in genus Potamotrygon". FishBase. June 2011 version.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Potamotrygon hystrix". FishBase. August 2012 version.
- ^ Axelrod, Herbert, R. (1996). Exotic Tropical Fishes. T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-543-1.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Breeding of the Raspy river stingray Potamotrygon scobina". 2003. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
- ^ "Des reproductions régulières en aquarium". Véronique Ivanov. 2009-01-05. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
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