F/W Stingrays  1/5/07
Hi,
     This will be my fist time keeping F/W Stingrays and I was wondering how much they usually cost.
<Have seen some about in  various U.S. States for a few tens of dollars in 07 buck values... to several tens of dollars>
  I also was wondering if it would be okay for the ray if I kept it alone instead of in a group because some of the sites I read said to keep them in a group of 3 to 5.
<Can be kept individually>
And also, what type of F/W stingray would be best for a first time ray keeper?  Email me at as soon as possible okay.
                            Bye,
                                Jacob
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwstingrays.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Re: F/W Stingrays, Sel.   1/6/07
Hi,
  It's me again and I was wondering if you knew if F/W Stingrays are allowed in Alabama ?
                 Bye,
                     Jacob
<Mmm, I don't know... Potamotrygonids are still outlawed in CA as far as I'm aware. Simple for you to check... Look on the Net for the AL "Fish and Game" and either read through their posted statutes and/or contact them with this question. Bob Fenner>

Fresh Water Stingray???   7/30/06
Hi there!
<Howdy>
I have a simple question concerning my tank. My 250 gallon freshwater tank currently is home to one young stingray (male), a pair of angels, and four smallish starter fish. I have been working with an upscale marine specialty store to obtain a mate (female ray) for my male. Today, they obtained a full grown red-blotched ray from a individual who is no longer able to care for her. She is almost twice the size of my male, but in excellent health.
My question is what should I expect to pay for her? They claim they don't really want to make a profit on her, but they gave the previous owner a credit for her, so I would expect to pay what she is worth. She is truly a beautiful creature.
<Mmm, not able to say... I would ask them... offer to pay the credit plus...>
Also, what should I be aware of when introducing her to tank, any advise? Or precautions?
<None that aren't posted on WWM>
I am assuming my 250 is suitable as the owner of the store came by today to inspect the tank to ensure she would be going to a good home.
Much Appreciation,
Amy
<For a time. Bob Fenner>

Buy freshwater stingray  7/15/06
Dear Sir,
Hello, I am Ferry Wibowo from Indonesia
I will order freshwater Stingrays from Brazil
do you have these species :
  1. Potamotrygon Leopoldi ( Black Ray ( Polkadot) )
  2. Potamotrygon Henlei ( Black Ray ( P. Henlei ) )
  3. Potamotrygon Histrix ( Histrix )
  4. Potamotrygon Castexi ( Otorongo ( Pintard ) )
  5. Potamotrygon Menchacai ( Tiger Stringray )
  6. Potamotrygon Bracyura ( Ahaia Grandy )
  7. Plesiotrygon Iwamae ( Antenna Ray )
  8. Potamotrygon Reticulata ( Teacup Stingray )
Please give me the special price and exact measurement
How's the maximum length of each species?
<Mmm, we don't sell livestock... You can find information on the maximum
size of these Potamotrygonids on fishbase.org. Bob Fenner>
Thank you and we are looking forwards to your prompt reply.
Best regards
Ferry Wibowo

Info on T cup stingray
Hi,
I'm considering purchasing a freshwater stingray. Could you give some information on these beautiful animals? I currently have a 50 gallon community tank with Bala sharks, tetras, ghost catfish, a Cory, and 2 Plecos. Thanks
Jeff Lawson
<Thanks for the prompting... Wrote a review of this group (the family Potamotrygonidae... I'll place this article and the accompanying images on the www.WetWebMedia.com site later today (or tomorrow when I move off this FAQ onto the new (to be made) FAQs pages on FW Stingrays... 
These South Americans can be gotten and kept... but most get pretty big for captive use... and a fifty is small... and it will be eating your other fishes... Bob Fenner>

Freshwater Sting Rays
Hi Robert,
I am writing from the South West of England and have recently found out about fresh water stingrays in particular the Motoro. Is this a good choice for beginners? 
<Mmm, not really... venomous... needs quite large quarters (a square meter of bottom space really... subject to damage, bacterial infections. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwstingrays.htm >
We have always kept tropical fish but would like something a little less ordinary! I have heard that you need 1 meter square per Ray is this enough? 
<Wow! I must be getting on... talk about coincidence of "pat answers">
How hard are they too look after? What sort of money is a good price to pay?
<I would rather direct you to more suitable, hardier "oddball" aquatic livestock. Please do read through the WetWebMedia.com site here... write if there is a group missing (there are many), and I'll get on to it>
If you would be kind enough to help me out with this info it would be much appreciated.
Best regards,
Nathan Potts.
<Be chatting my friend. Bob Fenner>

"Lookin' for (fw) Rays in all the right places..."
Can you give me information on where I can purchase a freshwater ray? We live in TN
<Mmm, you might get lucky by asking your local fish shops if they can special order you one... Otherwise, there are etailers that deal in odd/rarer aquatics you can contact via the Net. Do read the survey piece and FAQs we have stored on the family here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwstingrays.htm
Bob Fenner>

A question of ethics regarding freshwater stingrays...
Hello again Bob!
I'm sorry I've become such a pest - hopefully you don't view me as such. I had a disappointing experience at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago. They had an empty tank that was labeled "baby freshwater stingrays". 
<What? I'm very surprised... that this retail chain would carry such animals.>
I inquired about them, since I was surprised that Wal-Mart would carry such livestock. The employee said that the stingrays sell so fast, that they're hardly ever in stock (which is good, I suppose, since the tank in which they're kept is about the size of a shoe box). The next week, a co-worker and fellow hobbyist told me she bought one of the stingrays the previous night, on a whim (she had a 40-gallon tank that was ready for livestock). 
<Arrgghhh!>
I gave her my lecture on buying livestock at our Wal-Mart (horrible conditions, at least two dead fish in every tank at all times, and uneducated, unconcerned employees in the pet section), and further expressed concern to her about Wal-Mart stocking these animals (which she identified as Potamotrygon orbignyi after I showed her your article on freshwater rays). Of course it was too late, and the ray happened to die a week later. (Please note that I am not commenting on the Pet Section Employees in ALL Wal-Mart stores, but merely on my numerous experiences with the one store in my area.)
<I understand. Friends of mine (the Bailey brothers here in San Diego) told me years back that Wal-Mart was their biggest customer. Will be sending this note off to them as well as WMT corporate... Not smart... touchy, venomous organisms being offered by such an icon of commerce>
I really want to do something to influence our Wal-Mart to stop selling these animals. My reasons are these:
1.) In my opinion, Wal-Mart shouldn't sell fish if the employees know nothing about them. These are live animals and deserve to be cared for correctly.
2.) Wal-Mart doesn't provide adequate space to house their fish, and this results in a high death rate. They also buy their fish from apparently less-than-reputable suppliers, and I'd be willing to bet that 25% of their livestock shows up with signs of disease and is still put in the display tanks.
3.) Given the reasons above, if this store can't keep a tank full of guppies healthy, then they shouldn't be selling freshwater rays.
4.) As your article states, freshwater rays are venomous. The employees are not aware of this, and therefore the customer is not informed. I would think the very least they could do is let the customer know that he or she is about to purchase a venomous animal. Not only would it be safer for the customer and allow him or her to make a more informed decision about the purchase, but I would think Wal-Mart would like to cover their own
"posterior" in the case of a lawsuit resulting from an injury. People seeing these rays in the store usually know nothing about them, and may assume that they're as user-friendly as most of the other fish sold there.
<Agreed, of course... no one should be doing this. Wal-Mart's corporate contact information: :
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611
If you're a customer, call 1-800-WAL-MART
If you're an investor or analyst, call 501-273-8446
If you're a journalist, call 501-273-4314
The message I sent them: Are you folks really offering Freshwater Stingrays for sale to the public? Not a good idea on a few counts... they're not hardy, easily lost... and quite venomous. Please see the coverage, FAQs posted on this family of fishes on our website: http://wetwebmedia.com/fwstingrays.htm
Bob Fenner>
Do I have reason for concern?
<You do as a human, citizen, concerned individual, possible shareholder...>
What would be the best course of action?
<Write, call their offices. This company is blessed with some of the best minds, people in business... It is no "accident" that they are the best, largest companies of their genre.>
Thank you in advance for any insight you may have.
Sincerely,
Gina
<Will be investigating. Bob Fenner>

A question of ethics regarding freshwater stingrays... an incident of their sale at Wal-Mart?
I spoke with Nevin Bailey (a supplier to WMT, located in San Diego, California). He assures me that Wal-Mart does not, would not sell anything dangerous to the public. They don't offer reptiles, even hamsters/guinea pigs... for this same set of rationale... And definitely the family is illegal to import/export in many States... 
Bob Fenner

Re: A question of ethics regarding freshwater stingrays...
Hi Bob!
Thanks for the update and for taking part in the pursuit of this matter. I'm confused, though - is it possible this store in my area "slipped through the cracks" in selling this particular species? 
<Very doubtful, but Nevin Bailey (a supplier to WMT) did mention this possibility... These are NOT part of the 89 sku's that are corporate approved... Perhaps some "loose cannon" saw a deal, wanted to wow and zow folks at "their" fish department/location... Real trouble if so.>
I plan on pursuing it as soon as I can make a good I.D. on the animal. I may try to snap a picture so I can get your opinion. In the meantime, I am going to make a respectful comment to Wal-Mart's national customer service line about the overall lousy condition of the livestock in our area's store. Once again, thank you so much for your support.
Sincerely,
Gina
<Be chatting... and do look at "Today's FAQs": http://wetwebmedia.com/dailyq&a.htm
(hopefully get to soon) re Nevin's input. Bob Fenner>

Freshwater Tank Set-Up
Hi,
<Hello!>
I have a 180 gallon tank well decorated with large lava rocks and 1/4 inch gravel. There is 12 inches of head room and 12 inches of room in the front of the tank. The reason being is that I raised two silver Arowanas from 2 inches in size with their sacs to over 2&1/2 feet in size easily just making regular water changes. After 5 years one of my Arowanas got sick from some internal illness and died. The other Arowana couldn't handle the change became very jumpy and committed suicide breaking the over head glass ending up on the floor. Because I got rid of all my other fish for the ever growing Arowanas, I found myself with no fish. After a two year break I want to start up a new tank with one Arowana, fire eel, l lung fish, Polypterus (if I find the colorful one I want). The difference being is that I want to add a stingray (small species), I willing to change the gravel to sand and leave 18 inches of space in front of the tank. I'm would like to know if this setup is suitable for the ray, the reason I'm keeping the rocks is I really want eels in my tank. If you don't think the ray will have enough room I'll let the ray go and concentrate on the other fish.          
<Rick, IMO a ray is a bad choice all the way around. Yes they are gorgeously menacing, but these guys don't live long in captivity regardless of the setup. Keeping rays is an exercise in frustration for most all hobbyist...unless you are really willing to go the extra mile, I suggest...skip the ray. David Dowless>
thanks a lot.  Rick 
<You're welcome! David Dowless>  

Freshwater stingrays (not in CA)
I am interested in buying 2 freshwater sting rays...can you help me by any chance but I live in California... any thing near hear??
<As far as I'm aware the family Potamotrygonidae is still illegal to possess (or sell) in California. Bob Fenner>

MI Rays
hello I live in Michigan and I  was wondering whether not freshwater stingrays were illegal or not here please e-mail
                                                 thanks
                                                         CJ
<Don't know, but do know where to check. Your State Fish and Game. Likely have a website, can contact them through this if they don't have a list of illegals posted... Potamotrygonids are legal in many states. Bob Fenner>

FW Stingrays
Hi,
First I would like thank you for your advice and answers in the past. My question is are FW stingrays legal in Cali?
< No, Sorry. And there is a big fine too if you are caught.-Chuck>
My former elementary school has an interest in setting up a stingray tank, since it is their mascot. I have own FW and reef tanks but have never owned stingrays and do not know much about them, although I have read the section about FW stingrays on this website. If you don't know then perhaps where could I find this information? Thanks!
-Alex

First Freshwater Stingray, Selection - 10/17/2005
I was wondering what ray would be best suited for a beginner and would work in a 110 gallon tank
<In my opinion, none are suited to this size/shape tank, if this is a "common" 110 - 48" by 19" footprint, roughly.>
and I was planning on housing it with a royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus) and 5 Sorubim lima. I am currently looking at Potamotrygon leopoldi. Any other suggestions would be helpful.
<You might possibly get by with something like Potamotrygon scobina, which reportedly stays closer to 12" to 14".... But I would absolutely not, in a system with a footprint anything less than 48" by 24". Preferably larger. Wishing you well, -Sabrina> 

First Freshwater Stingray, Selection - II - 10/18/2005
The tank that I am buying has the following dimensions 48" long 24" wide and 18" high, if that helps.
<Mm, somewhat....  I would not put leopoldi in this system, to be sure, but you might be able to get by with a single P. scobina.  It would be better to have it in a larger system, though; after discussing with Bob, he recommends a 72" by 24" tank, so you might consider upgrading in the near future at least.  Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>

Illegal Rays? - 11/22/2005
Could you tell me if freshwater stingrays are illegal in Georgia?
<You will need to find that out through your local (Georgia) wildlife or fish and game department.>
If they are what requirements must be met to keep them?
<If they ARE illegal to own/sell/etc., again, you'll need to find out through the government body that regulates them. I know in California it's essentially impossible for an "average Joe" (including myself) to obtain a permit for keeping these animals. Major bummer.>
Thanks in advance.
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>

Freshwater Stingrays, Sabrina's Envy - 12/15/2005
Around 6 moths ago after 15 years of fish keeping I decided to try freshwater stingrays.
<I envy you.  Deeply.  You've no idea how much I love these animals, wish I could keep, breed....  Not in California.  Sigh.>
The most frequently available and affordable to were Potamotrygon reticulatus.
<Beautiful.>
I set up a 6' x 2' x 18" high tank filter using 2 canister filters - an Eheim 2213 and a Fluval 304) with a sand substrate about 1/2" thick. The pH was and still is 7, temp 80degrees C, ammonia zero and nitrates controlled with weekly water changes.
<Nitrite, I trust, is zero as well.>
About mid June I purchased 2 Retics (only males were available) about (XX)" dia
<Unfortunately, portions of your email are garbled....  the lettering I can figure out, but this is impossible for me with your numbering, unfortunately; not sure what happened here.>
and settled them into the tank with the intention of getting 2 females at a later date. These 2 males settled within the hour and were eating earthworms the same day.  
<Wow, excellent!>
About the end of October the shop finally got more retics in and I got (XX)
<Same trouble....>
females again about 2" dia. The males are now about (XX)5"-4"
<I'm assuming this is 3.5-4 inches?  Blast this webmail....>
and the females were added to the same tank.
<Yikes!  I'd've quarantined the newcomers, to be sure....  there's just SO much that can go wrong with rays....>
Although I could see no problems between the rays the 2 new females have not settled like the males and do not seem to be eating anything I put in the tank.
<VERY bad news....  At this tiny, tiny size, they may not make it without food urgently....>
I have tried blood/earth worm, prawn, mussels, flake, tablet and I have even tried Live deformed Endler's guppies (which is normally a big no no for me) all without success.
<Try live bloodworms, failing that, try live blackworms.>
I am now at a stage where I have placed a divider in the tank as one female is extremely skinny (hollow in the head and showing pectoral bones) and the other seem not as bad but fear it will go the same way.
<Very, very dangerous....>
I feel the possible mistake has been adding them at different times and if so then lesson learned as I feel I will lose these 2 females.
<I fear you may....  The urgent lesson here is QUARANTINE your newcomers....  Not only to protect your existing, healthy stock, but to help the newcomers chill out and eat.>
Sorry for the length of this mail but the more info u
<Not 'u', 'you'....  we have to correct these for posting on the site.>
have the less speculation you will need to make.
<Quite correct.  Thank you for the detailed info.>
If you can help or advise it would be appreciated.
<I would advise removing the females to a separate quarantine system if possible - and NEVER add to your main tank without a four week quarantine for new rays.  If these girlies don't make it, I will also *strongly* advise that you start with slightly larger specimens next time, and make the shop owner show you the animals eating prior to purchase - if they don't eat, don't buy.>
Thanks,  Stuart,  Scotland.
<Thank you very much for sharing, Stuart - Keep up hope, and try to get some live bloodworms or live blackworms into these girlies.  If you get them to eat, keep them eating - get 'em fattened up a bit before you wean them off onto dead or prepared foods.  All the best to you,  -Sabrina>