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Potamotrygon Henlei P12 foto: Andreas Ochs
This beautiful species comes in many variants. From dark brown to an almost black background, and white/yellow spots. The females can reach a disk size of 24" when adult. At that size they need big tanks to give them room. The difference between P. Leopoldi and P. Henlei is the spots on a Henlei also can be found on the bottom edge of the ray's disk. Recently, however, I have seen Leopoldi's with the same markings, so I wonder how we can tell them apart in the future.
Potamotrygon Henlei P12 foto: Andreas Ochs
The Henlei, as well as the Leopoldi come from the river Xingu in Brazil. They prefer a low Ph, and a temperature around 83F. Scientists think that in nature the species Henlei and Leopoldi crossbreed. This can explain the reason why markings on some species, appear the same.
Potamotrygon Leopoldie P13 foto: Frank Zijlmans
This is one of the Leopoldi's I have owned. Look at the markings on this fish and tell me it doesn't look like a Henlei. Leopoldi's are marvelous looking stingrays and have been bred several times in Germany. Breeding groups were in all cases, 2 females and one male. The females who gave birth were 23" and the males were 18".
Potamotrygon Leopoldie 'Eclipse' P13 foto: Michael Stiemer
This is what they call an Eclipse. I'm told that especially in Japan they pay a lot of money for this specimen. In my eyes it is a Leopoldi with rings instead of spots.
Potamotrygon Leopoldie
A very beautiful specimen with strange looking spots. In this picture, you can clearly see how much they love the bubbles in the tank.
Third ray that belongs to this "black ray" group is the Potamotrygon Garrapa. The only picture of this animal I have seen was in one of the Aqualog Books. Does anyone own this ray? Or anyone have a nice picture of these rays I can use? Please let me know.
Potamotrygon Leopoldie 'Eclips' foto: Michael Stiemer
A very special Leopoldie I never have seen such a beautiful animal it is very rare and thus very expensive.