Kissing prochilodus
Semaprochilodus insignis
Also known as Flagtail prochilodus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–84°F
- 23–29°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 13.8 in
- 35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 135 gal
- 510 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Prochilodontidae
- Origin
- South America
Overview
The kissing prochilodus is an active schooling grazer for a large tank with room to swim. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The kissing prochilodus makes long spawning runs upriver in the wild during the rainy season, traveling in huge numbers. These migrations move nutrients between the flooded forest and the main river. That makes the species important to the whole river system, not just a tank curiosity.
Caring for the kissing prochilodus
Kissing prochilodus are built for open, flowing water, not a planted nano tank. Start with a tank of at least 135 gal (510 L), with plenty of length to swim. A sandy bottom and strong current suit them.
Keep the water at 73 to 84°F (23 to 29°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They graze the bottom and surfaces for algae, detritus and biofilm. Feed a plant-heavy diet of spirulina, algae wafers and blanched vegetables.
Keep several, since kissing prochilodus get nervous and nippy when kept alone or in too small a group. They are mostly peaceful but active, and they can be pushy at feeding time. Big, robust tank mates suit them better than small, delicate ones.
Good to know
The kissing prochilodus, Semaprochilodus insignis, is in the family Prochilodontidae, the flannelmouth characins. It has a distinctive sucker-like, fleshy mouth built for rasping. The species is widespread and currently considered Least Concern, though habitat change and pollution affect it.
In the wild
Kissing prochilodus live in the blackwater and whitewater rivers of the Amazon Basin. They are found over sand and mud in river channels and seasonal floodplain lakes.
Common questions
What size tank does a kissing prochilodus need?
A kissing prochilodus needs at least 135 gal (510 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a kissing prochilodus need?
A kissing prochilodus is comfortable at 73–84°F (23–29°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a kissing prochilodus eat?
A kissing prochilodus grazes the bottom and surfaces for algae, detritus and biofilm. In the tank, feed it a plant-heavy diet of spirulina, algae wafers and blanched vegetables.
How big does a kissing prochilodus get?
An adult kissing prochilodus reaches about 13.8 in (35 cm).
Does a kissing prochilodus need a group?
Yes. A kissing prochilodus is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
11.8 in (30 cm)159 gal (600 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Flagtail prochilodus
Semaprochilodus taeniurus
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Prochilodus lineatus
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Myloplus aylan
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13.8 in (35 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Bronze featherback
Notopterus notopterus
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