|
Name: Potamotrygon orbignyi |
| Size |
Tank | pH | Temp |
|
Origin: Amazon Basin |
|
35 cm |
400 L |
6.7 |
26°C |
My first teacup stingray was 25 cm in diameter. I purchased it with little hesitation at Wal-mart for 10 dollars. The first tank for this fish was a 230 liter hexagon tank. Then I realized that this fish was growing faster than expected. That summer, I constructed a water garden, that included the addition of many of my freshwater tropical fish. I fed this fish frozen bloodworms and, by the end of the summer, I caught the stingray from my pond and placed it in my custom made aquarium, that was very wide and shallow (250x250x50 cm). There the fish shared the space with two other stingrays. By the fall, the stingray was 45 cm in diameter. The moulted colors of the stingray were remarkably bright (as with all my fish kept in ponds during the summer). The fish still ate bloodworms, but obviously in a greater amount. The sex of the stingray is determined by the claspers (modified anal fin of the males to transport sperm into the female). The reproductive methods of the freshwater stingrays are very similar to their saltwater counterparts, and radically similar to the livebearing mollies, platy's, swordtails and guppies. The stingrays are accompanied by a school of 30 cardinal tetras, 5 brown discus and a possible breeding pair of Apteronotus albifrons (black ghost knifefish). I have had much success with keeping freshwater tropical fish (especially South American species) in man-made ponds. I place many fish in these ponds and pull out, not only more than what I started with, but specimens that appear to be wild caught. Their colors, size and activity level are extremely similar to their wild caught versions.
This is a fascinating species for the more advanced aquarist, though as is testified above, their mature size can be daunting at best and should be taken into consideration before a purchase. (I wonder if the salesperson at Wal-Mart had any idea what he/she was selling at the time, aside from a "really neat fish". I'll say no more about Wal-Mart and fish). I would like to add that they are a very affectionate pet, readily eating from your hand (this is truly a WILD sensation!) and allowing themselves to be stroked and petted at times. They are also mishievous almost to a fault, and I have known one in particular which obsessively dueled with the glaring red eye of his tank heater, to the demise of more than one heater until a glass partition was installed. They love to burrow in a sandy substrate, and will stir up a tank worse than a pack of Oscars when frisky. Though somewhat demanding, this is a rewarding species if successfully kept.
I just bought a teacup at a local pet store in my area, an man is he cute! Right now, he's in a 110 liter fish tank with a young ropefish, figure 8 puffer, a freshwater knight goby, a small catfish, and some assorted peaceful cichlids. I paid $50, a pretty good deal I guess, but anyway, here I am with this awesome little teacup. I give him shrimp pellets, like I give my other fish and he absolutely loves them! He goes right for those things as soon as I drop them in. Overall, teacup stingrays make sweet pets. I recommend them to anyone who is at a more experienced level with fish. They can be tough to get eating. I've been taking care of fish since I was just about three years old, and now I'm fourteen and I'm absolutely obsessed with them. If you like a cool fish, a teacup is for you!
I've owned various species of freshwater stingrays for about five years now. Currently I own four species including the several of the one pictured above commonly reffered to as a 'TEA-CUP' ray. This ray actually is a young form of Potamotrygon reticulatus. They are very hardy as far as freshwater rays go and stay pretty small in comparison with other freshwater rays. They accept a variety of foods and adore earthworms. This by far is my favorite species and I've successfully bred them in the past. The male is a little abusive towards the female during courtship, but no real damage is done. My first litter of pups came when I wasn't around, but numbered about six. The babies fed almost immediately and I had no losses. They are currently being housed in a custom 2.4 by 1.2 by 0.6 meters which is the appropriate tank size for this type of ray, but they can be kept in much smaller aquariums.
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