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Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) — Prochilodontidae

Bocachico

Prochilodus magdalenae

The Bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) is a freshwater fish of the family Prochilodontidae that grows up to 51 cm.

Length
51 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bocachico is a flannelmouth characin (Prochilodontidae) from fresh water of the Magdalena and Cauca basins in Colombia. The species grows to about 51 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a round, fleshy, protrusible sucker mouth full of fine teeth. As a schooling, migratory bottom fish it sifts detritus, algae and bottom mud over sand and mud bottoms of rivers. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bocachico?

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

Where does the Bocachico live?

The Bocachico lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bocachico get?

The Bocachico grows to a maximum of about 51 cm.

Is the Bocachico dangerous to humans?

No, the Bocachico is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bocachico sourced
English name
Bocachico sourced
Scientific name
Prochilodus magdalenae
Family
Prochilodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
51.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Prochilodus

More from the family Prochilodontidae

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