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Steindachnerina leucisca — Curimatidae

Steindachnerina leucisca

Steindachnerina leucisca
Family: Curimatidae

The Steindachnerina leucisca is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America, in the Amazon basin.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Steindachnerina leucisca is a characin of the family Curimatidae from South America, occurring in the Amazon basin. The species reaches about 15 cm and has a stocky, silvery body and a toothless, inferior mouth. It is a detritivore: with its mouth it sifts organic silt, algae and debris from the bottom, thereby playing a role in cleaning the bed. It forms schools in rivers and floodplains. Through this behaviour it is an important link in the food chain of South American freshwater systems. Locally it is eaten in modest amounts.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Steindachnerina leucisca?

The Steindachnerina leucisca has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Toothless detritus feeder that sieves silt and algae from the bottom; forms shoals.

Where does the Steindachnerina leucisca live?

The Steindachnerina leucisca lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America, in the Amazon basin.

How big does the Steindachnerina leucisca get?

The Steindachnerina leucisca grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 9 cm.

Is the Steindachnerina leucisca dangerous to humans?

No, the Steindachnerina leucisca is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Steindachnerina leucisca edible?

The Steindachnerina leucisca is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Steindachnerina leucisca sourced
Scientific name
Steindachnerina leucisca
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.1 verified
Average length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America, in the Amazon basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus, algae and organic silt (detritivorous) sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Toothless detritus feeder that sieves silt and algae from the bottom; forms shoals. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Steindachnerina

More from the family Curimatidae

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