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Dobula toothless characin (Steindachnerina dobula) — Curimatidae

Dobula toothless characin

Steindachnerina dobula
Family: Curimatidae

The Dobula toothless characin (Steindachnerina dobula) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Dobula toothless characin is a small characin from northern South America. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a silvery, elongate body and a small, toothless, downward-facing mouth. As a bottom-oriented detritivore it lives in rivers and floodplains and filters organic silt, algae and detritus from the bottom. It forms schools. It is a local baitfish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dobula toothless characin?

The Dobula toothless characin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Toothless inferior mouth; schooling detritus feeder

Where does the Dobula toothless characin live?

The Dobula toothless characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America

How big does the Dobula toothless characin get?

The Dobula toothless characin grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Dobula toothless characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Dobula toothless characin 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 Dobula toothless characin edible?

The Dobula toothless characin is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Dobula toothless characin verified
Scientific name
Steindachnerina dobula
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Organic silt, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling bottom detritus eater; follows seasonal floods. sourced
Special features
Toothless inferior mouth; schooling detritus feeder 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
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 Steindachnerina

More from the family Curimatidae

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