Cururu Stingray
Potamotrygon wallacei
(Carvalho, Rosa & Araújo, 2016)
What are they and how big do they get?
The Cururu stingray is a South American freshwater stingray from the Potamotrygon genus and is one of the smallest species available. It naturally occurs in the Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil.
Potamotrygon wallacei is named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who was an English naturalist, anthropologist, geographer, explorer, illustrator, and biologist.
Females are typically larger than males and attain a disc size of around 11-13 in (28-33 cm), whereas males are slightly smaller and attain a disc size of around 10 in (25 cm).
Cururu stingrays are often referred to as "hystrix rays."
For many years, Cururu stingrays were known as Potamotrygon hystrix, but the real Potamotrygon histrix originates from Argentina and hasn't yet made its way into the trade. The "Hystrix" from the Rio Negro that we see today was formally described as Potamotrygon wallacei in 2016, clearing up a case of mistaken identity.
What temperature can they be kept at?
Cururu stingrays thrive in captivity when maintained at warmer temperatures of around 28-30 °C (82-86 °F).
How many can be kept together?
A single specimen, a pair or a group.
Water parameters?
Cururu stingrays must be acclimatised to their new aquarium slowly. It is imperative that the new parameters are similar to the previous parameters. This is critical!
Stingrays are hardy and can thrive in many parameters, as long as they're slowly acclimatised to their new environment.
Cururu stingrays demand good water quality. Weekly water changes of around 50% are mandatory. If you're intermittent with water changes, stingrays are not for you!
What do they eat in captivity and how often should they be fed?
Cururu stingray pups are generally easy to care for and, from a very early age, will readily accept dried foods. Carnivore pellets can be prepared by chopping them into smaller pieces using a blade.
Pups can be fed several times a day, once in the morning and once late afternoon, allowing sufficient time for digestion between meals. Allow their stomachs to flatten before offering another feed. Larger juveniles and adults can also be fed several times a day, although some hobbyists choose to offer "one good feed" a day.
Meaty food items may include bloodworms, earthworms, dendrobaena worms, mussels, prawns, basa, etc.
Dried food items may include a good quality sinking pellet and tropical granules.
Which tankmates are recommended?
Tankmate options are plentiful, but our recommendations include eartheaters (Geophagus and Satanoperca spp.) and disc characins (Metynnis, Myleus, Myloplus, and Mylossoma spp.).
The aquarium?
The aquarium should be spacious and voluminous. The bigger the better. We recommend a minimum footprint of 6 ft (182 cm) x 3 ft (91 cm) for a single fish or larger when looking to house multiple fish.
Many stingray enthusiasts opt for a bare-bottom aquarium, as this assists with keeping the environment clean. However, a dusting of sand will allow the rays to behave naturally and to wallow in the substrate.
Large items of decor such as bogwood may provide areas of refuge and cover for newly born pups. Be sure to leave plenty of floor space.
Will they breed in captivity?
Our very own Richard Hardwick (aka Aquaman45) regularly breeds Cururu stingrays. The ones that we have in stock are the descendants from Richard's fantastic group of adults.
They reach sexual maturity at around 3 years of age, and a small breeding group may consist of 1 male and 2 females.
Cururu stingrays have a gestation period of approximately 180-200 days, and successful breeding can result in 6-8 pups being born; however, 3-4 pups are far more typical.
Other notes
Cururu stingrays contain either one or two venomous stingers on their tails, which are shed periodically. Stingers are made from dentin, the same substance found in human teeth.
Lacking true bones, their body is made up of a cartilaginous skeleton, relating them to skates, sharks and chimaeras – the elasmobranchs.
Cururu stingrays are long-lived and have a lifespan that may exceed 30 years. They are a serious consideration for any potential buyer.
Conclusion
Cururu stingrays are small, attractive, and easy to feed, deeming them a sensible choice for a life in captivity.
If you're committed to regular maintenance and looking for a fantastic showpiece, then you'll be hard-pressed to find anything more impressive than a ray!