Potamotrygon wallacei

[aquaman45]

Well for all that don't already the beloved Stingray we have been calling Potamotrygon cf hystrix for all these years has finally been scientifically named as P. wallacei, the true hystrix being a ray that is practically never imported that originates from Argentina.
The name hystrix crops up on so many South American shippers lists from Colombia, Peru etc etc causing heaps of confusion, P. orbignyi and P. humerosa being the most commonly misnamed species, other obscure species are also given the name hystrix to add further confusion. Potamotrygon wallacei however is a unique species in its own right, a very stocky ray with a very tall mantle with huge Frog like eyes set high up on the head, for me absolutely unmistakable.
Potamotrygon wallacei hails from the rivers of Brazil, notably the Rio Negro and is amongst two of the smallest species in the hobby today, Potamomatrygon scobina being the other, both species coming out of Brazil, the latter is currently illegal to ship and has been for many years now, there are however a few successful breeding groups throughout Europe.

As this is a species very close to my heart I thought I would add a video taken this morning of one of my breeding groups, note the LED light set well above the water surface (not in video) this coupled with two powerful internal filters breaking the waters surface has created a beautiful shimmer to the overall look, very soothing to watch.

Hope you enjoy the video,

All the best!

 

[Ashley106]

Beautiful Richard as always lighting really makes this species pop when done correctly with correct substrate

 

[aquaman45]

Well for all that don't already the beloved Stingray we have been calling Potamotrygon cf hystrix for all these years has finally been scientifically named as P. wallacei, the true hystrix being a ray that is practically never imported that originates from Argentina.
The name hystrix crops up on so many South American shippers lists from Colombia, Peru etc etc causing heaps of confusion, P. orbignyi and P. humerosa being the most commonly misnamed species, other obscure species are also given the name hystrix to add further confusion. Potamotrygon wallacei however is a unique species in its own right, a very stocky ray with a very tall mantle with huge Frog like eyes set high up on the head, for me absolutely unmistakable.
Potamotrygon wallacei hails from the rivers of Brazil, notably the Rio Negro and is amongst two of the smallest species in the hobby today, Potamomatrygon scobina being the other, both species coming out of Brazil, the latter is currently illegal to ship and has been for many years now, there are however a few successful breeding groups throughout Europe.

As this is a species very close to my heart I thought I would add a video taken this morning of one of my breeding groups, note the LED light set well above the water surface (not in video) this coupled with two powerful internal filters breaking the waters surface has created a beautiful shimmer to the overall look, very soothing to watch.

Hope you enjoy the video,

All the best!

 

[ShadowStryder]

Outstanding and gorgeous examples Richard. And Love the Shimmer created by the surface agitation and lights. It adds a natural effect to the video.....

 

[spotfin]

Awesome group of rays! Like the video too.
What are the sizes of them? The smaller male doesn't look to be very big, but looks mature.

 

[davenmandy]

Very cool man. You literally just sold me on these guys. I can now appreciate this species for what it is, nothing had had me look twice till this point. I'll be now keeping an eye out.

 

[jim barry]

Nice little write up there Richard and the rays look excellent!!
Great vid and pics

 

[rudy]

Cool write up and Oliver Lucanus has been saying this for years! Cool to hear it confirmed. I love my Wallacei....althought I will probably still call them Hystrix

 

[fishguy306]

These are such cool little rays. They are feisty rays too. Mine was in with a group of three motoros, one of which was a very large and aggressive female. They wallacei had no issues, she would steal food from the bigger rays, really wasn't pushed around by them at all. Seriously one of the coolest rays I've owned.

 

[aquaman45]

Here are a few pup pics to finish off, these are some I have bred previously, for some reason captive bred wallacei are far prettier than their wild counterparts, this is true with all captive breeding projects in my experience, its just more evident with this species I think....just my opinion!
Pleased to see I have managed to open the eyes of at least one other ray keeper to these magnificent little rays.

Thanks to you all for looking!