New Ray--need ID ("Yellow Histrix")

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Tucc185

Candiru
MFK Member
Jul 7, 2005
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Boulder, CO
www.reef2rainforest.com
I finally picked up a yellow histrix ray I've had my eye on for a while. The manager at the LFS was really happy to see her go to a good home so I got a pretty good deal too. I just was hoping somebody could give me a tentative ID. From what I've read it's likely an orbignyi but I haven't really seen any good pics of them to compare this one to. Sorry about the crappy pix, I will get more of her in the tank soon.

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not hystrix.... I would list it as a P. sp. peru..... looks a lil dark to be humerosa...
 
I agree, probably P. sp "peru" after some further research. Is that a motoro-like species or possibly a motoro variant? Since she's settled in a little I have noticed that the dark areas behind both eyes (most clearly visible in the 2nd and 3rd pic) have become very distinctive and her overall coloration has lightened substantially. Also, her tail has several large spines extending to the mid-'back'. Much larger spines than most motoros I have seen. And the skin is mostly smooth, if that means anything.
 
Certainly not a hystrix....but it does have some orbignyi and motoro qualities to it. Probably another hybrid that everyone will disagree over for the next month. Regardless....it is a beautiful ray and I am jealous. As long as it is healthy, who cares what it is? Can i inquire where you got it from??? I know you said LFS....is it in MA? Was the ray wild caught or captive bred?

Good luck with it!!!
 
The ray is wild caught, I assume, like almost all brown rays from Peru. I got it from a store in Salem NH, they have a pretty good selection of FW but only rarely get in rays. It is certainly a very pretty ray and I'm sure it will do very well, regardless of what exactly it is. I'll keep everyone updated with pics.
 
I would say M. "Peru" as well..

Orbignyi have smooth backs..

perhaps more detailed shots of the eye structure and tail structure can help ID it..but more than likely it's an un-ID'ed peruvian ray..
 
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