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Curimata (Curimata cyprinoides) — Curimatidae

Curimata

Curimata cyprinoides
Family: Curimatidae

The Curimata (Curimata cyprinoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America, in swamps and quiet waters.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Curimata cyprinoides is a toothless characin (family Curimatidae) of northern South America. The species reaches about 23 cm and has a fusiform, silvery body reminiscent of a carp. It inhabits swamps and quiet waters and feeds on organic debris, benthic organisms and periphyton. On its palate are taste filaments that play a gustatory role and also secrete mucus to facilitate the ingestion of bottom material. The species lives in schools and is an important link in passing bottom food to higher levels. It is harmless to humans and is eaten locally on a modest scale.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Curimata?

The Curimata has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Toothless characin with taste filaments on the palate; feeds on detritus and periphyton.

Where does the Curimata live?

The Curimata lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America, in swamps and quiet waters.

How big does the Curimata get?

The Curimata grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Curimata dangerous to humans?

No, the Curimata is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Curimata edible?

The Curimata is rarely eaten.

More photos

Curimata (Curimata cyprinoides) — Curimatidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Tom Laroche, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Curimata (Curimata cyprinoides) — Curimatidae — 3
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Curimata (Curimata cyprinoides) — Curimatidae — 4
James Maclaine (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Curimata (Curimata cyprinoides) — Curimatidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Diemer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Curimata sourced
Scientific name
Curimata cyprinoides
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern South America, in swamps and quiet waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Organic detritus, bottom organisms and periphyton sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Toothless characin with taste filaments on the palate; feeds on detritus and periphyton. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Curimata

More from the family Curimatidae

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