Streaked prochilodus

Prochilodus lineatus

Also known as Curimbata, Sabalo, Streamer prochilodus, Curimba

FreshwaterFish

Streaked prochilodus (Prochilodus lineatus) — João D'Andretta · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.8
Adult size: 23.6 in (60 cm)
Minimum tank: 396 gal (1,500 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Native to the Parana and Paraguay river basins of subtropical South America.
Family: Prochilodontidae

Overview

This fish is sometimes sold small but grows into a powerful, active giant that needs a tank or pond measured in the thousands of liters. It is peaceful with fish too large to bother but is a restless, messy grazer that demands heavy filtration and strong flow. Realistically it is a project for public aquariums and dedicated large fish keepers, not a typical home tank.

In the wild

Lives in large rivers and floodplain lakes of the Parana and Paraguay systems. It feeds on detritus and the muddy biofilm of the riverbed, playing a big role in the river food web. Huge shoals migrate upstream to spawn each year.

Good to know

Prochilodus lineatus is a large migratory food fish that reaches around 60 cm and, at the extreme, up to 80 cm and several kilograms. Its protrusible, sucker like mouth is ringed with fine teeth for scraping food from surfaces. It is one of the most important commercial fish across its range.