Hi guys,
As previously mentioned in another thread I happen to come by a relatively rare Himantura Sp.
Upon hours of research, I have confirmed that the ray I got was a Roughback Whipray (Himantura Kittipongi). Since theres not much going on around here on Himantura Rays I thought I'd make a mini profile on the ray and post updates on this thread as i raise the said ray.
Roughback Whipray (Himantura Kittipongi)
Description (Fishbase)
This freshwater stingray has a distinct coloration, dorsal disc with pale margin and pale spots in front of the eye and on the posterior rim of the spiracle; a narrow, dusky, gray or brownish-orange (not black) marginal band (but for the one-fourth of the disc nearest to the snout) on the ventral disc surface. Denticulation on the central area of dorsal disc surface and tail are well developed; possess a series of enlarged denticles, some with projecting posterior margins raised above the surface, on dorsal midline between pearl organ and base of sting, the largest on the tail base
According to FishBase as well, the max size of this ray is at around 12" in disc.
However, with regard to the coloration, most pics of this fish over the internet are brown. The fish I got and a video i saw of the exact specie kept in Bangkok Aquarium are more yellow than brown.
Distribution:
Thailand
Size:
Upon research, I found out that this ray is usually found with it's tail severed with the causes yet to be ascertained although some suggest its due to puffer fish bites. My ray also suffers from this condition.
The ray I have is around 10-11 inches and has developed claspers already indicating that it is a mature individual. Chances are pretty slim that I get to have my hand on a female since this is an endangered specie and the manner the fish got here was real guerilla like to say the least. (note: i did not import it). Hence, I don't think i would be able to try to breed these anytime soon. But given the chance, I think i cannot pass on a female.
Compatibility:
The Kittipongi is housed with a Motoro Pair right now along with an african arowana and a goliath tiger fish. So far, the Kittipongi is getting along well with the rays and the top/mid dwellers. I don't see any harassment taking place from either side and the rays are doing fine and are very active. Truth be told, I find the kittipongi more active than both my Motoros.
Im using this tank to hold and observe the ray as I try to get him to feed on the food i feed my fish. Furthermore, I will deworm the kittipongi soon just to make sure since it's a wild caught ray. I am still contemplating if I should introduce the ray to my 2,500 gallon tank. This is because the big tank is infested with bottom dwelling monster catfish.
Lastly, I've seen these kept with Himantura Signifer and was told that they get along just fine.
Diet:
My biggest fear was it would not eat. However, the person whom i got it from showed me it ate. He gave it a ghost shrimp and it snagged it right away. Upon further reading as well, I found that it does love to feed on crustaceans in the wild. Hence, for starters i would recommend feeding it ghost shrimp.
I am not sure if it is just a glutton or it got influenced by the Motoro rays, but just after a day, it already took (very small) shrimp and on the third day, chopped market prawn. However, when i tried to feed it tubifex worms (which almost all potamotrygon rays would eat at once) it did not touch it. Neither did i have luck on blood worms and earth worms. Hence, I'm sticking with the shrimp diet as I attempt to fatten him up since its still skinny.
Water:
As previously mentioned, it's in a tank with other rays, thus, the water is pristine. no ammonia and nitrite with very very little nitrate. Contrary to what i previously read in another thread, the introduction of this ray did not foul my water nor did it cause my ammonia to spike. i keep the temperature tropical ~27-30.
Conclusion;
If not for their dwindling number in the wild, I find this ray relatively suitable for the aquarium because of it's small size. However, they are very active and would thrive better on a bigger tank. As previously mentioned, they are more active than my motoros thus inclining me to believe that a bigger tank than those of the potamotrygon genus are required. feeding could be tough as they dont eat as much as a motoro but the good thing is they do accept food fairly easily.
If someone has or had this fish around here please do share
with very little known about this fish, all information we could get would prove to be valuable..
Cheers!
Bobby V
As previously mentioned in another thread I happen to come by a relatively rare Himantura Sp.
Upon hours of research, I have confirmed that the ray I got was a Roughback Whipray (Himantura Kittipongi). Since theres not much going on around here on Himantura Rays I thought I'd make a mini profile on the ray and post updates on this thread as i raise the said ray.
Roughback Whipray (Himantura Kittipongi)
Description (Fishbase)
This freshwater stingray has a distinct coloration, dorsal disc with pale margin and pale spots in front of the eye and on the posterior rim of the spiracle; a narrow, dusky, gray or brownish-orange (not black) marginal band (but for the one-fourth of the disc nearest to the snout) on the ventral disc surface. Denticulation on the central area of dorsal disc surface and tail are well developed; possess a series of enlarged denticles, some with projecting posterior margins raised above the surface, on dorsal midline between pearl organ and base of sting, the largest on the tail base
According to FishBase as well, the max size of this ray is at around 12" in disc.
However, with regard to the coloration, most pics of this fish over the internet are brown. The fish I got and a video i saw of the exact specie kept in Bangkok Aquarium are more yellow than brown.
Distribution:
Thailand
Size:
Upon research, I found out that this ray is usually found with it's tail severed with the causes yet to be ascertained although some suggest its due to puffer fish bites. My ray also suffers from this condition.
The ray I have is around 10-11 inches and has developed claspers already indicating that it is a mature individual. Chances are pretty slim that I get to have my hand on a female since this is an endangered specie and the manner the fish got here was real guerilla like to say the least. (note: i did not import it). Hence, I don't think i would be able to try to breed these anytime soon. But given the chance, I think i cannot pass on a female.
Compatibility:
The Kittipongi is housed with a Motoro Pair right now along with an african arowana and a goliath tiger fish. So far, the Kittipongi is getting along well with the rays and the top/mid dwellers. I don't see any harassment taking place from either side and the rays are doing fine and are very active. Truth be told, I find the kittipongi more active than both my Motoros.
Im using this tank to hold and observe the ray as I try to get him to feed on the food i feed my fish. Furthermore, I will deworm the kittipongi soon just to make sure since it's a wild caught ray. I am still contemplating if I should introduce the ray to my 2,500 gallon tank. This is because the big tank is infested with bottom dwelling monster catfish.
Lastly, I've seen these kept with Himantura Signifer and was told that they get along just fine.
Diet:
My biggest fear was it would not eat. However, the person whom i got it from showed me it ate. He gave it a ghost shrimp and it snagged it right away. Upon further reading as well, I found that it does love to feed on crustaceans in the wild. Hence, for starters i would recommend feeding it ghost shrimp.
I am not sure if it is just a glutton or it got influenced by the Motoro rays, but just after a day, it already took (very small) shrimp and on the third day, chopped market prawn. However, when i tried to feed it tubifex worms (which almost all potamotrygon rays would eat at once) it did not touch it. Neither did i have luck on blood worms and earth worms. Hence, I'm sticking with the shrimp diet as I attempt to fatten him up since its still skinny.
Water:
As previously mentioned, it's in a tank with other rays, thus, the water is pristine. no ammonia and nitrite with very very little nitrate. Contrary to what i previously read in another thread, the introduction of this ray did not foul my water nor did it cause my ammonia to spike. i keep the temperature tropical ~27-30.
Conclusion;
If not for their dwindling number in the wild, I find this ray relatively suitable for the aquarium because of it's small size. However, they are very active and would thrive better on a bigger tank. As previously mentioned, they are more active than my motoros thus inclining me to believe that a bigger tank than those of the potamotrygon genus are required. feeding could be tough as they dont eat as much as a motoro but the good thing is they do accept food fairly easily.
If someone has or had this fish around here please do share
with very little known about this fish, all information we could get would prove to be valuable..Cheers!
Bobby V
