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This week this article will mark the first confirmed time this type of rare fish has been bred in captivity. Well, actually, the little babies were born about two weeks ago, but that's besides the point...

RFotW #14 -- Potamotrygon sp. -- P14, Itaituba Ray



This ray has yet to be classified as its own species, so admittedly you won't find much data on this type. It looks quite close to the Leopoldi and Henlei Rays and is often classified as variants of these species. However, the Itaituba has way more many more smaller spots than the aforementioned species, and the ray itself only grows to about 16" in disk width, which is quite a bit smaller than the approximate 24" disk width of the other two species. All three rays are easily distinguishable from each other, so there is little reason for confusion.

Earlier I had made an article about Pearl Rays. Though the Pearl Rays may be an especially rare fish commanding a price that can be over twice that of an Itaituba, the Itaitubas have always been rarer than the Pearls, despite the fact both rays come from the same river. I've once heard it said that there are currently less than ten privately owned Itaitubas in the USA, though I'm not sure this statement has any validity.

Of course, one of the very reasons I chose this fish was because of its recent successful reproduction (second link for more info). Unlike the Leopoldis, Henleis, and every other ray that I know of, these stingrays have a significant difference in coloration between the young and the adults. A great step forwards in the husbandry and science of rays, I believe. However, it is interesting to note that this fish was first bred in the Netherlands. Of course, most planted tank keepers should know that planted tanks also have been called "Dutch Tanks" because of the success of keeping planted tanks in such environments; this sucess, of course, is due to the fact that the Dutch have appropriate, soft water for this. That perhaps is a hint to what made this breeding successful.

As said earlier, this fish's price is no where near that of a high quality Pearl Ray. That being said, these fish still do command a hefty price that can be over $500, especially because these fish are often caught at adult sizes unlike their Henlei and Leopoldi counterparts which can be found as small as 6".

Links:

http://www.freshwaterstingray.nl/1Engels/Species7.html

http://www.freshwaterstingray.nl/1Engels/P14%20pups.html

Past RFOTW:
1. Polynemus paradiseus -- Paradise threadfin
2. Anableps anableps -- Four-Eyed Fish
3. Hypancistrus zebra -- Zebra Plec
4. Potamotrygon sp. -- Pearl Ray
5. Merodontotus Tigrinus -- Tigrinus Catfish, Zebra Shovelnose
6. Rhinopias aphanes -- Merlet's Scorpionfish, Lacy Scorpionfish
7. Tetraodon pustulatus
8. Astronotus orbicularis -- Bumblebee Oscar
9. Parambassis pulcinella -- Rhino Glassfish, Humphead Glassfish
10. Lepisosteus platyrhincus -- Golden Florida Gar
11. Polyodon spathula -- Missippi Paddlefish
12. Pterois radiata -- Radiata Lionfish, Clearfin Turkeyfish
13. Panaque suttonorum, Panaque suttoni -- Blue Eyed Plec

Last edited by Shinigami at 05-Dec-2004 14:14[/font]

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Really nice pleco
I would love to have one of those..but the price is very high

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

I saw that at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Part of the shark/ray exhibit. The rays were so lively. Coudln't get a decent picture because kids nowadays are so rude. Push past my legs and hog up all the viewable areas on the glass. This was at most exhibits. Hehe, either I don't remember being that rude, or I'm choosing not to remember.
But it's a real awesome ray. Thanks for the info.

Very pretty. I've wanted rays for the longest of times, but sadly, I live in California.

That is a beautiful ray. I would love to have one of those. I really like sharks/rays in general, though. In 28 years, a graybanded bamboo shark may be in sight. That is, when I the millionaire owner/operator of my very own In-N-Out franchise.