Xingu River ray
ExploreFish
Xingu River ray
Potamotrygon leopoldi
The Xingu River ray is a beautiful fish that lives in the rivers of Brazil. It has a flat body and a long tail, making it look like a flying saucer swimming in the water!
Habitat: Freshwater rivers
Appearance
The Xingu River ray is a striking freshwater ray with a flattened, circular disc-shaped body. Its velvety black skin is adorned with vibrant, irregularly shaped yellow or orange spots, creating a unique and eye-catching pattern that distinguishes it.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassElasmobranchiiOrderMyliobatiformesFamilyPotamotrygonidaeGenusPotamotrygon
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each Xingu River ray has unique spot patterns, like a fingerprint!
Their bodies contain cartilage, not bones, making them super flexible!
They are also known as the "Black Devil Ray" due to their dark color!
Unlike ocean rays, these rays live their whole lives in freshwater rivers!
Special abilities
Ability
Electric Vision
Xingu River ray can 'see' electric fields generated by prey hidden in the substrate because of special sensors, helping them hunt.
Ability
Venomous Tail Sting
Xingu River ray has a sharp, venomous barb on its tail that helps them defend against predators if threatened.
Ability
Stealth Glider
Xingu River ray has a flat, disc-shaped body that helps them glide silently along riverbeds and hide effectively.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 20-70 cm
- Weight
- 1-3 kg
- Lifespan
- 8-15 years
- Swim Speed
- 8 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 5 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
Tiny bugs, worms, and small fish are what this ray loves to eat from the riverbed!
Primary Foods
- insect larvae
- small crustaceans
- aquatic worms
- small fish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Bloodworm
Chironomus riparius
Their larvae are a common food source in riverbeds.
eats
Amazon River Prawn
Macrobrachium amazonicum
These small crustaceans are a favorite meal for the ray.
eaten by
Spotted Sorubim
Pseudoplatystoma corruscans
Juvenile rays can become prey for larger predatory catfish.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Gliding
Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Electrogenic
This trait describes organisms capable of generating electric fields or electric shocks.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Always watch from a distance and never touch wild fish in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Xingu River ray?
20-70 cm
How much does Xingu River ray weigh?
1-3 kg
How long does Xingu River ray live?
8-15 years
What does Xingu River ray eat?
Tiny bugs, worms, and small fish are what this ray loves to eat from the riverbed!
How fast can Xingu River ray swim?
8 km/h
Where is Xingu River ray usually found?
Freshwater rivers
How does Xingu River ray hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Xingu River ray go?
5 m
Snap Map
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