Home · Curimatidae · Spottail curimata
Spottail curimata (Curimatopsis evelynae) — Curimatidae

Spottail curimata

Curimatopsis evelynae
Family: Curimatidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Spottail curimata (Curimatopsis evelynae) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Amazon and Orinoco basins
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Spottail curimata?

Get the app

Description

Evelyn's curimata is a minute characin relative from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with toothless jaws and a conspicuous dark blotch on the tail base. As a bottom-feeder it swims in small groups in clear streams and pools and feeds on detritus, algae and microscopic benthic life. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spottail curimata?

The Spottail curimata has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Toothless jaws and a dark caudal blotch; small detritus-eating bottom characin

Where does the Spottail curimata live?

The Spottail curimata lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Amazon and Orinoco basins

How big does the Spottail curimata get?

The Spottail curimata grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Spottail curimata dangerous to humans?

No, the Spottail 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 Spottail curimata edible?

The Spottail curimata is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Spottail curimata?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spottail curimata is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Spottail curimata verified
Scientific name
Curimatopsis evelynae
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Amazon and Orinoco basins verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus, algae and microscopic bottom life inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Detritus-eating small bottom characin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Toothless jaws and a dark caudal blotch; small detritus-eating bottom characin sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Curimatopsis

More from the family Curimatidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Spottail curimata?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Spottail curimata is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Spottail curimata? Get the app