New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater Critically Endangered 🌡️ Tropical

Smooth freshwater stingray

Fontitrygon garouaensis Stauch & Blanc, 1962
Max Length
-
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
90.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Dasyatis garouaensis is restricted to fresh waters . Its conservation status is uncertain, given its restricted distribution in a region with known habitat degradation; this species has apparently become less common after the construction of a dam on the Benue River . Ovoviviparous .

Scientific Name
Fontitrygon garouaensis
Authority
Stauch & Blanc, 1962
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Other
IUCN Status
CR
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Very low
Vulnerability
90.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 120 - 131. Diagnosis: A moderately large and thin-bodied freshwater dasyatid; disc flatter than in any other West African dasyatid, its depth only 8.7-11.0% of disc width vs. 11.0% or more in other species; denticles on dorsal surface of disc highly variable, sometimes absent, always restricted to central portion; pearl spine absent or represented by 2-3 low denticles . It is most similar to the small marine species Dasyatis margaritella and the larger marine species Dasyatis margarita, both of which have well-developed pearl spines and shorter snouts . : other; Cross section: flattened.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Smooth freshwater stingray is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Smooth freshwater stingray is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures . Distinct pairing with embrace .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.7±0.3

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01023 × L3.06 (TL)
Vertebrae
126

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Critically Endangered
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Very low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
90.00/100
Very High vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Body Shape
Other
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Stauch & Blanc, 1962

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Smooth freshwater stingray ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.