Home · Curimatidae · Broadhead biara
Broadhead biara (Potamorhina laticeps) — Curimatidae

Broadhead biara

Potamorhina laticeps
Family: Curimatidae

The Broadhead biara (Potamorhina laticeps) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia, Venezuela
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Broadhead biara?

Get the app

Description

The broadhead biara is a detritivorous characin (Curimatidae) from rivers, lakes and floodplains of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, silvery body with a broad head and a toothless, inferior mouth. As a detritus feeder it grazes over soft bottoms on organic mud, algae and micro-organisms. It forms large schools and is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadhead biara?

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

Where does the Broadhead biara live?

The Broadhead biara lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Colombia, Venezuela

How big does the Broadhead biara get?

The Broadhead biara grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Broadhead biara dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadhead biara 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.

Is the Broadhead biara edible?

Yes, the Broadhead biara is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Broadhead biara?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Broadhead biara is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Broadhead biara sourced
Scientific name
Potamorhina laticeps
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Potamorhina

More from the family Curimatidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Broadhead biara?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Broadhead biara is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Broadhead biara? Get the app