Bigtooth river stingray
Potamotrygon henlei
Potamotrygonidae
Expert
Parameter dashboard
Temperature
23-28 °C
pH
6-7.5
Size
60 cm
Lifespan
20 years
Min tank1728 L
Price$$$$
DietCarnivore
TemperamentSemi-aggressive
OriginRio Tocantins basin, Brazil
Shrimp-safeNo
Care guide
The bigtooth river stingray comes from the Rio Tocantins in Brazil. A full-grown disc can span 60 centimetres, placing it among the largest freshwater rays kept in aquaria. Brazilian export restrictions mean nearly every specimen is captive-bred.
This ray needs a tank measured in metres: a footprint of at least 2.4 × 1.2 m with a volume around 1728 litres. Massive biological filtration and weekly 50% water changes are non-negotiable. The substrate should be fine river sand.
Keep the water at 23–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5. It is a carnivore needing feeding twice a day on whole mussels, cockles, prawns and earthworms. Mammal meat must never be offered. These rays can live for over 20 years. The venomous tail spine is a serious safety consideration.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (11)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue gularis Fundulopanchax sjostedti Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Chili Rasbora Boraras brigittae Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Desert goby Chlamydogobius eremius Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Jack Dempsey Rocio octofasciata Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Javanese ricefish Oryzias javanicus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Microdevario Microdevario microphthalma Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Orange Fin Danio Danio kyathit Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Panda Loach Yaoshania pachychilus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Red Wolf Fish Erythrinus erythrinus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| South American freshwater stingray Potamotrygon motoro Caution | Caution | Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
1 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royal panaque Panaque nigrolineatus Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
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