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Curimatid (Cyphocharax spiluropsis) — Curimatidae

Curimatid

Cyphocharax spiluropsis
Family: Curimatidae

The Curimatid (Cyphocharax spiluropsis) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; rivers, streams and floodplains.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The curimatid is a toothless characin (Curimatidae) from South America. The species has a slender, silvery body with a dark spot on the tail base and a small, toothless mouth. It lives in schools in rivers, streams and floodplains. As a bottom grazer it feeds on detritus, algae and organic silt from the bottom. It is a prey fish for larger fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Curimatid?

The Curimatid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Toothless mouth and a dark caudal blotch; bottom-grazing, detritus-eating schooling fish.

Where does the Curimatid live?

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

How big does the Curimatid get?

The Curimatid grows to a maximum of about 9 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?

The Curimatid is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Curimatid sourced
Scientific name
Cyphocharax spiluropsis
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots 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, streams 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
Toothless mouth and a dark caudal blotch; bottom-grazing, detritus-eating schooling fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Cyphocharax

More from the family Curimatidae

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