Magdalena river stingray

Foto: Ictiologia Universidad Católica de Oriente

​Potamotrygon magdalenae, commonly known as the Magdalena River stingray, is a species of freshwater ray in the Potamotrygonidae and only found in the Magdalena and Atrato basins in Colombia. It is a small stingray measuring about 20 cm (8 in) in disc width (DW); however, it seems they can reach up to 35 cm (14 in) in DW. The maximum published weight for this critter is 755.10 grams.

Ever wonder where the name Potamotrygon came from? It's Greek! Two Greek words, actually: potamos which means "river" and trygon which means "a sting ray." This benthopelagic animal likes shallow muddy bottoms with turbid waters and feeds on insect larvae. The IUCN has assessed them as Least Concern (LC).

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THIS ANIMAL?

GLOSSARY

• IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.​

SAY HELLO!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

PACIFIC SPADENOSE SHARK

SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD

GALÁPAGOS GHOSTSHARK