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Plain curimata (Curimata inornata) — Curimatidae

Plain curimata

Curimata inornata
Family: Curimatidae

The Plain curimata (Curimata inornata) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Plain curimata is a toothless characin (Curimatidae) from fresh water of the Orinoco and Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a stocky, silvery body without teeth and a small mouth. As a social bottom-dweller it swims in schools through rivers, streams and floodplains and eats fine detritus, algae and biofilm from the bottom. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Plain curimata?

The Plain curimata has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Plain curimata live?

The Plain curimata lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Plain curimata get?

The Plain curimata grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Plain curimata dangerous to humans?

No, the Plain 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.

Is the Plain curimata edible?

Yes, the Plain curimata is commonly eaten.

More photos

Plain curimata (Curimata inornata) — Curimatidae — 2
Tomaz Nascimento de Melo (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Plain curimata sourced
Scientific name
Curimata inornata
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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 Curimata

More from the family Curimatidae

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