Freshwater Stingray

Looks how to spot one

Smooth, scaleless skin with a roughly circular, flattened disc and a robust tail bearing a venomous spine.

The body is a flat, round disc with the eyes raised on top. The tail is thick and muscular, armed with a sharp, venomous spine. The skin is smooth and feels like wet leather.12

Personality what they are like

Generally peaceful towards larger tankmates but is a predator that will eat any fish small enough to swallow. It is shy and will bury itself in sand when frightened. It is not aggressive to people but the venomous tail spine can cause a painful injury if the fish is mishandled.45

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate; it cruises the bottom actively, especially at night. Needs a very large, open tank with a soft sand bed to allow natural burying and foraging behaviour.46

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Requires pristine water conditions with zero ammonia or nitrite and nitrates below 20 ppm. Large weekly water changes of around 40% are essential. A sump filtration system is strongly recommended. The tank must have a tight-fitting lid as stingrays may jump.45

Home where they are happiest

A single adult needs a minimum 250-300 gallon aquarium with a footprint at least 90 inches long and 36 inches wide. Water temperature 24-28°C, pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard. A deep, fine sand substrate is essential for burying. Decor should be smooth and securely placed to avoid injury.452

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous. In the wild it eats fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic insects. In captivity it thrives on frozen foods such as bloodworms, mysis shrimp, krill, chopped clam, squid and silversides. Live blackworms can be offered as treats. Avoid feeding live fish or mammalian/avian meats.432

Company who they like around

Best kept as a species-only fish or with calm, mid-water tankmates such as silver arowana, severum or geophagus cichlids. Avoid plecostomus catfish which may attach to the stingray's disc. It is a venomous species: the tail spine can inflict a painful wound, so handle with extreme care and never use a net.45

The story where it all began

The ocellate river stingray was the first freshwater stingray species to be scientifically described and is the most widespread in South America. It has been kept in aquariums for decades and is one of the most popular freshwater stingrays in the hobby, though its large size and demanding care mean it is only suitable for experienced keepers with very large tanks.15