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.
Source
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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.
Related species
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