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Discus ray (Paratrygon aiereba) — Potamotrygonidae

Discus ray

Paratrygon aiereba
DD · Data Deficient

The Discus ray (Paratrygon aiereba) is a freshwater fish of the family Potamotrygonidae that grows up to 80 cm.

Length
80 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; soft bottoms of large rivers.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The ceja river stingray is a freshwater stingray (Potamotrygonidae) from South America. The species has an almost round, flat body disc and a relatively short tail with a serrated venomous spine. It lives on soft bottoms of large rivers, often in shallow parts and near the banks, where it half-buries itself. As a bottom hunter it feeds on fishes and bottom invertebrates. It gives birth to live young. The venomous spine can inflict deep, very painful wounds if stepped on.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Discus ray?

The Discus ray has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Almost round body disc; ovoviviparous freshwater ray with a serrated venomous spine on the tail.

Where does the Discus ray live?

The Discus ray lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America; soft bottoms of large rivers.

How big does the Discus ray get?

The Discus ray grows to a maximum of about 80 cm.

Is the Discus ray dangerous to humans?

No, the Discus ray is harmless to humans. The tail bears a serrated venomous spine that can inflict deep, very painful puncture wounds. Shuffle through shallow water to avoid stepping on them. Immerse the wound in hot water (about 45 C) and seek medical care.

Is the Discus ray edible?

The Discus ray is rarely eaten.

More photos

Discus ray (Paratrygon aiereba) — Potamotrygonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vincent A. Vos, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Discus ray (Paratrygon aiereba) — Potamotrygonidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Franciele, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Discus ray (Paratrygon aiereba) — Potamotrygonidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Franciele, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Discus ray (Paratrygon aiereba) — Potamotrygonidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Esteban Diego Koch, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Discus ray verified
Scientific name
Paratrygon aiereba
Family
Potamotrygonidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
80.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America; soft bottoms of large rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes and benthic invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Almost round body disc; ovoviviparous freshwater ray with a serrated venomous spine on the tail. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
The tail bears a serrated venomous spine that can inflict deep, very painful puncture wounds. Shuffle through shallow water to avoid stepping on them. Immerse the wound in hot water (about 45 C) and seek medical care. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Potamotrygonidae

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