Rays Floating on the Top - Having fun or Low O2?

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Miles

Miles

Stingray King
MFK Member
Jul 2, 2005
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Spokane, WA
Just came across this read from a scientific account of potamotrygon conservation in South America.. Thought this was interesting and would like to share it and possibly get some feedback?


"Potamotrygonidae developed at least two interesting adaptations to freshwater environments: the first is the
ability to floating on the surface when the bottom water was poor in oxygen and the second is maternal care. These adaptations are unique among Elasmobranch species (Achenbach & Achenbach, 1976; Araújo, 1998)."
 
Hey. Ive seen this first hand. I had setup a pond, I was filtering it with a large eheime can filter. I had the output for the water going into the pond. Like the tube was under the water. So there was no current on the top of the water, With no air stone also. I came down next day to find both of the rays floating at the top. Breathing very heavy. So I quick put an air stone and made alot of current, and with in 20min the rays very active again.
 
Thanks for the feedback Brad..

i always see people talking about their rays 'playing in the bubble' and it makes me wonder why.. my rays never seem to? wonder if it has to do with total dissolved o2 and stocking levels/turnover rate, etc.. rays are big creatures probably need alot of dissolved o2 in their blood.
 
Interesting, but it certainly makes sense as deep rivers can have pockets of low dissolved O2 near the bottom. In a tank with low dissolved oxygen, it is unlikely the surface would provide much relief, but in a river being able to break out of that almost anoxic zone would be a key survival adaptation.
 
stingrayguy;1335308; said:
Hey. Ive seen this first hand. I had setup a pond, I was filtering it with a large eheime can filter. I had the output for the water going into the pond. Like the tube was under the water. So there was no current on the top of the water, With no air stone also. I came down next day to find both of the rays floating at the top. Breathing very heavy. So I quick put an air stone and made alot of current, and with in 20min the rays very active again.
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Personally I think this is absolutely dead on. Rays need a ton of O2 and surface breaking like an airstone, or waterfall filtration is crucial

I have almost lost tons or rays as a result of this
 
severum1;1335600; said:
And maternal care?
I have never seen.
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Probably not as clearly presented in home aquaria because they are usually forced to stick togethor.

It makes me wonder if pups dying right after separation has to do with mental stress from losing mommy? :confused:

However, Almeida studied pregnancy and birthing in the wild of many rays, including antenna rays.. She studied gestation periods, etc.. but she also noted she observed maternal care by parents of stingrays in the wild. They would stay near the fragile and exposed juvenile, rather than leaving it, and have it follow them to food sources.:eek:



I wonder if playing in the bubbles is similar to floating at the top?
 
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