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Spotted curimatid (Cyphocharax punctatus) — Curimatidae

Spotted curimatid

Cyphocharax punctatus
Family: Curimatidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spotted curimatid (Cyphocharax punctatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeastern South America
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The spotted curimatid is a small characiform from northeastern South America, including Guyana and the northern Amazon region. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, silvery body without jaw teeth, often with a dark spot at the tail base. It forms schools and feeds as a detritivore on bottom mud, algae and organic matter. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted curimatid?

The Spotted curimatid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Toothless jaws and a dark caudal blotch; detritus feeder

Where does the Spotted curimatid live?

The Spotted curimatid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northeastern South America

How big does the Spotted curimatid get?

The Spotted curimatid grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Spotted curimatid dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted curimatid 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 Spotted curimatid edible?

The Spotted curimatid is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted curimatid verified
Scientific name
Cyphocharax punctatus
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.3 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
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northeastern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Bottom silt, algae and organic material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Detritus-eating small schooling fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Toothless jaws and a dark caudal blotch; detritus feeder 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 Cyphocharax

More from the family Curimatidae

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