Freshwater Whipray

Himantura chaophraya is a giant euryhaline whipray capable of entering and permanently inhabiting freshwater systems, native to the large river basins of Southeast Asia including the Mekong, Chao Phraya, and Irrawaddy. Adults can develop disc widths exceeding a metre, making them among the largest freshwater-capable elasmobranchs known to science. They were historically common in some Thai and Cambodian rivers but are now endangered in the wild due to overfishing and habitat destruction. In captivity they require truly enormous facilities with industrial filtration, high-quality water, and vast feeding budgets. They are viviparous and have been maintained in several Asian public aquaria. The appropriate private keeper does not exist outside of the most extreme specialist situations. Offered here as an educational listing for completeness within the genus.

Water: 24–28°C, pH 6.5–7.5, moderate hardness (5–15 dGH); public-aquarium-scale filtration and water management. Tank: Minimum 2000L; adult requires 10,000L+; wide, shallow pool design with sand base; industrial sump. Feeding: Carnivore; large whole fish, prawns, mussel, squid; feed substantial amounts multiple times per week. Breeding: Viviparous; achieved in several Asian public aquaria; not achievable in private settings. Compatibility: Only appropriate with other very large, non-predatory Southeast Asian fish at maximum size.