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Curimatid (Potamorhina altamazonica) — Curimatidae

Curimatid

Potamorhina altamazonica
Family: Curimatidae

The Curimatid (Potamorhina altamazonica) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; rivers, lakes and floodplains.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The curimatid is a toothless characin (Curimatidae) from South America. The species has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with a small, toothless mouth. It lives in large schools in rivers, lakes and floodplains. As a bottom grazer it feeds on detritus, algae and organic silt from the bottom, making it an important link in the food chain. It is a commercial food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Curimatid?

The Curimatid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Deep silver body with a toothless mouth; schooling detritus feeder and commercial fish.

Where does the Curimatid live?

The Curimatid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America; rivers, lakes and floodplains.

How big does the Curimatid get?

The Curimatid grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Curimatid dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Curimatid edible?

Yes, the Curimatid is commonly eaten.

More photos

Curimatid (Potamorhina altamazonica) — Curimatidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ronald Mori, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Curimatid (Potamorhina altamazonica) — Curimatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Vincent A. Vos, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Curimatid sourced
Scientific name
Potamorhina altamazonica
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 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
South America; rivers, lakes and floodplains. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus, algae and organic silt from the bottom sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Deep silver body with a toothless mouth; schooling detritus feeder and commercial fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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 Potamorhina

More from the family Curimatidae

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