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Venezuelan flannelmouth (Prochilodus mariae) — Prochilodontidae

Venezuelan flannelmouth

Prochilodus mariae

The Venezuelan flannelmouth (Prochilodus mariae) is a freshwater fish of the family Prochilodontidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
40.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Venezuelan flannelmouth is a characin (Prochilodontidae) from large rivers of the Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a sturdy, silvery body with dark fins and a round, fleshy, protrusible sucker mouth full of small teeth. As a bottom-dweller it rasps algae, biofilm and detritus from the bottom; in the rainy season it migrates upstream in large schools to spawn. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Venezuelan flannelmouth?

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

Where does the Venezuelan flannelmouth live?

The Venezuelan flannelmouth lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Venezuelan flannelmouth get?

The Venezuelan flannelmouth grows to a maximum of about 41 cm.

Is the Venezuelan flannelmouth dangerous to humans?

No, the Venezuelan flannelmouth is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Orinoco-flanelmond sourced
English name
Venezuelan flannelmouth sourced
Scientific name
Prochilodus mariae
Family
Prochilodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
40.6 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
Sand / mud 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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