Rays and Salt

[Miles]

The unusual stenohaline freshwater stingray Potamotrygon sp. has lost most of the characteristics that are typical of marine elasmobranchs (e.g. high osmolality, urea retention, a functional rectal gland) and displays an ionoregulatory physiology superficially similar to that of freshwater teleosts. Potamotrygon thrives in the ion-poor waters of Brazil's Rio Negro, despite the presence of branchial ion transport systems that exhibit surprisingly low affinity for external sodium and chloride and virtual insensitivity to the ionic composition of the acclimation water. However, ionic permeability is very low, and the ion transporters appear to differ at a mechanistic level from those of freshwater teleosts.
scientific link;
http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/short/205/19/3039

 

[csx4236]

Hey Miles glad to see you around, Now can you explain this for us normal people?

 

[Miles]

Salt doesn't bother freshwater rays..

 

[jwong1024]

Salt doesn't bother freshwater rays..

thanks mikes, thats good to know.

 

[Conner]

branchial ion transport systems that exhibit surprisingly low affinity for external sodium and chloride and virtual insensitivity to the ionic composition of the acclimation water.

Would this mean that the average ray keepers response of adding large amounts of salt during times of illness or stress is pretty useless? Or am I understanding that wrong?

 

[turkeyboy85]

Would this mean that the average ray keepers response of adding large amounts of salt during times of illness or stress is pretty useless? Or am I understanding that wrong?

not if the bacteria or fungus that is the route of the problem cannot stand high salt levels

 

[Nic]

and we allready all knew this...

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

 

[csx4236]

Salt doesn't bother freshwater rays..

Thats kinda what I figured

 

[lincolngoh]

I almost never use salt. I don't think its necessary at all.