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Broadhead flannelmouth (Semaprochilodus laticeps) — Prochilodontidae

Broadhead flannelmouth

Semaprochilodus laticeps

The Broadhead flannelmouth (Semaprochilodus laticeps) is a freshwater fish of the family Prochilodontidae that grows up to 44 cm.

Length
44 cm
Water
Freshwater
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia, Venezuela

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Description

The broadhead flannelmouth is a characin (Prochilodontidae) from large rivers of the Amazon and Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a sturdy, silvery body with black-and-yellow banded fins and a round, fleshy, protrusible sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it rasps off algae, biofilm and detritus; in the rainy season it migrates upstream in enormous schools to spawn. It is a very important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadhead flannelmouth?

The Broadhead flannelmouth has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Broadhead flannelmouth live?

The Broadhead flannelmouth lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Colombia, Venezuela

How big does the Broadhead flannelmouth get?

The Broadhead flannelmouth grows to a maximum of about 44 cm.

Is the Broadhead flannelmouth dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadhead flannelmouth 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.

More photos

Broadhead flannelmouth (Semaprochilodus laticeps) — Prochilodontidae — 2
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Broadhead flannelmouth (Semaprochilodus laticeps) — Prochilodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Yurii Basov, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Broadhead flannelmouth (Semaprochilodus laticeps) — Prochilodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mario Aliana Pedrosa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Broadhead flannelmouth (Semaprochilodus laticeps) — Prochilodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Nuno Veríssimo P., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))

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All data

Identification

English name
Broadhead flannelmouth sourced
Scientific name
Semaprochilodus laticeps
Family
Prochilodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
44 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Semaprochilodus

More from the family Prochilodontidae

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