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La Plata curimata (Cyphocharax platanus) — Curimatidae

La Plata curimata

Cyphocharax platanus
Family: Curimatidae

The La Plata curimata (Cyphocharax platanus) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

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Description

The La Plata curimata is a toothless characin (Curimatidae) from fresh water of the Parana and La Plata basins in South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with a small, toothless mouth. As a detritivore it grazes algae, mud and organic matter from the bottom of rivers, streams and floodplains. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the La Plata curimata?

The La Plata curimata has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the La Plata curimata live?

The La Plata curimata lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay

How big does the La Plata curimata get?

The La Plata curimata grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the La Plata curimata dangerous to humans?

No, the La Plata curimata 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
La Plata curimata sourced
Scientific name
Cyphocharax platanus
Family
Curimatidae
Other names
Characin sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

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 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 Cyphocharax

More from the family Curimatidae

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