Porcupine Freshwater Stingray

About

The porcupine freshwater stingray (Potamotrygon hystrix) is a disc-shaped cartilaginous fish from the Paraná-Paraguay river basin in South America, where it spends much of its time buried flush with sandy substrates in marshy, shallow zones. Its natural camouflage is remarkably effective. Between its patterned disc and its habit of remaining completely motionless, a resting specimen can be nearly invisible. Like all members of its family, it carries a barbed, dentin-based spine on its tail coated with toxic mucus that causes intense pain and tissue damage. This is purely defensive equipment, but it demands genuine respect from anyone maintaining the species. In the aquarium, this ray is a bottom-level predator and cannot be trusted with fish small enough to swallow. Good companions tend to be large, peaceful species that occupy mid to upper water, such as bigger characins or certain cichlids. Other bottom dwellers require careful thought. Most loricariid catfish are best avoided, as there are well-documented cases of them latching onto a ray's disc and causing injury. One important caveat for buyers: fish sold under this name are frequently mislabeled, often being Peruvian species that grow considerably larger than true hystrix. If you can, confirm the source before purchasing.