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Curimatid (Psectrogaster curviventris) — Curimatidae

Curimatid

Psectrogaster curviventris
Family: Curimatidae

The Curimatid (Psectrogaster curviventris) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The curimatid is a toothless characin (Curimatidae) from South America. The species has a fairly deep, silvery body with a curved belly line and a toothless mouth. It lives in schools in rivers, lakes and floodplains and is a pronounced bottom feeder. It swallows mud and bottom material, from which it digests fine algae, diatoms, detritus and micro-organisms. It is an important prey and food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Curimatid?

The Curimatid has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Curimatid live?

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

How big does the Curimatid get?

The Curimatid grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Curimatid dangerous to humans?

No, the Curimatid is harmless to humans.

Is the Curimatid edible?

Yes, the Curimatid is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kromzij-curimaat sourced
English name
Curimatid sourced
Scientific name
Psectrogaster curviventris
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Psectrogaster

More from the family Curimatidae

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