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Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) — Prochilodontidae

Bocachico

Prochilodus magdalenae

The Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) is a freshwater fish of the family Prochilodontidae that grows up to 51 cm.

Length
51 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia

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Description

The Bocachico is a flannelmouth characin (Prochilodontidae) from fresh water of the Magdalena and Cauca basins in Colombia. The species grows to about 51 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a round, fleshy, protrusible sucker mouth full of fine teeth. As a schooling, migratory bottom fish it sifts detritus, algae and bottom mud over sand and mud bottoms of rivers. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bocachico?

The Bocachico has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bocachico live?

The Bocachico lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Colombia

How big does the Bocachico get?

The Bocachico grows to a maximum of about 51 cm.

Is the Bocachico dangerous to humans?

No, the Bocachico is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) — Prochilodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Edwin Múnera Chavarría, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) — Prochilodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Carl H. Eigenmann (Public domain)
Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) — Prochilodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Miguel Diaz Anaya, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) — Prochilodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) ictiologiaudea, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bocachico sourced
Scientific name
Prochilodus magdalenae
Family
Prochilodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
51.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Prochilodus

More from the family Prochilodontidae

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