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Toothless characin (Curimatella alburna) — Curimatidae

Toothless characin

Curimatella alburna
Family: Curimatidae
LC · Least Concern

The Toothless characin (Curimatella alburna) is a freshwater fish of the family Curimatidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
18.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Amazon and Tocantins basins
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The slender curimatid is a small characiform from the Amazon and Tocantins basins in South America. The species grows to about 19 cm and has a slender, silvery body without teeth in the jaws, characteristic of the curimatids. 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 Toothless characin?

The Toothless characin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Toothless jaws; detritus feeder

Where does the Toothless characin live?

The Toothless characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Amazon and Tocantins basins

How big does the Toothless characin get?

The Toothless characin grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Toothless characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Toothless characin 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 Toothless characin edible?

The Toothless characin is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Toothless characin verified
Scientific name
Curimatella alburna
Family
Curimatidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium
Max length (cm)
18.8 sourced
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Amazon and Tocantins basins 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 schooling fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Toothless jaws; detritus feeder sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with plant bait or paste bait on a bottom or float rig. 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 Curimatella

More from the family Curimatidae

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