Scientific Name: Potamotrygon reticulata

Common Name(s): Reticulated River Ray, Teacup Ray, Colombian Ray

Origin: Magdalena and Atrato Rivers of Colombia. They can also be found in Surinam and Brazil.

Maximum Size: Disc width 14", female Colombian's can grow larger.
Colombian rays have elongated tails so the total length of an adult can be 30"

Life Span: 20 years if kept healthy

Natural Habitat: rivers

Tank size: 180 gallons

Diet: Colombian rays are primarily carnivorous. In the wild there diet consists of benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans and worms, and a small amount of plant matter. In the home aquarium Colombian rays will accept live worms, blood worms, cut shrimp, krill, crayfish, cut white fish i.e. pollack or smelt, and other meaty items.

Temperature: 78°-82º F

pH: 6.7

Hardness: GH 8

Minimum Tank Size: 180 Gallons.

Tank Region: Bottom

Temperament: Generally peaceful.

Possible Tank Mates: Colombian rays can be kept with other freshwater stingrays and larger, less boisterous fishes. They will consume any fish that are small enough to fit in their mouths.

Description: Colombian rays can be distinguished from other freshwater stingray species based on its unusually long pointed tail, a flatter body shape, and smaller eyes. Their color pattern consists of numerous small, indistinct, light-colored blotches on a darker base color. As they mature, the web pattern seems to fade.

Sexing: Males have elongated, rolled copulatory organs called "claspers" on the insides of their pelvic fins. Where as females lack claspers and are generally larger than the males.

Breeding: During mating, the male Colombian ray will grab hold of the female's disc with his mouth and attempt to roll underneath her, where he will insert one of his claspers into her cloaca and deposit sperm. Like all species of Freshwater rays the Colombian rays are matrotrophically viviparous. They will give birth to as much as seven live young (or "pups" as they are known) at a time after a gestation period of several months.

Notes: Colombian rays are one of the most common and mis-identified stingrays in the aquarium hobby. They are often exported and Imported as a 'Teacup' Stingray, which is a generic term used for a juvenile stingray with no identification. Colombian rays are often neglected during shipment, and are of very poor quality once they have been acclimated in a local fish store. Parasites are a very common secondary infection due to stress and improper care while at distribution centers.

Freshwater sting rays are not for beginners. They require a little more TLC than regular fish. Just like saltwater rays, freshwater rays have venomous barbed spine that will KILL YOU if you are not taken to the ER right away. If you plan on keeping rays here is a link you must read and print out just in case you get get stung! [url=http://www.potamotrygon.de/fremdes/stingray article.htm](click)[/url]