Order Characiformes ( Characiformes )
Family Curimatidae ( Curimatidae )
This family includes somewhat peculiar and little-known aquarium fish. They inhabit the fresh waters of Central and South America. They have a laterally compressed body and a toothless protrusible mouth with thick rough lips, which they use to gather small animals and algae from plants. Males are smaller and slimmer than females. They swim mainly in dense plant thickets. They feed from the bottom. From an aquaristic point of view, these fish do not play a major role, although they continue to be imported into Europe under the name Curimata spec. They mature at 1-3 years of age. Small species live up to 5 years in an aquarium, while larger ones live up to 15 years.
Genus Curimata — Curimata.
— Curimata — Curimata vittata [Kner, 1858]. Synonym: Curimata murieli, Curimatus vittatus. South America, Amazon and Orinoco river basins. 17 cm. Olive-silver coloration with black streaks. Fins have black and white margins. In nature, they form large schools in river channels and lakes. Plant-based supplementary feeding is required.
Genus Curimatella — Curimatella.
The following are also kept in aquariums: — Curimatella alburna (Muller & Troschel, 1844). Brazil, Venezuela. 17 cm. Lilac-silver coloration, dark spotting on unpaired fins.
— Curimatella dorsalis — Curimatella dorsalis [Eigenmann, 1889]. Synonym: Curimatus dorsalis, bolivarensis. Amazon, Orinoco, Tapajos, Paraguay river basins. 11 cm. Body is silver-gray, showing shades of yellow, green, and shiny gold depending on the light. Features a light reticulated pattern formed by scales. A black spot is present at the base of the tail. The dorsal fin is slightly enlarged. Peaceful and very active fish. T 24-26°C; pH 6.5-7.5; dH up to 15°.
Genus Curimatopsis — Curimatopsis.
— Curimatopsis crypticus — Curimatopsis crypticus [Vari, 1982]. Lower Amazon. 5 cm. Silvery. In males, a black spot extends onto the caudal fin as a narrow central stripe. Lives in small schools among plants and driftwood, inhabiting the middle and bottom water layers. Requires subdued lighting and a dark substrate. Compatible with peaceful fish as tankmates. T 22-25°C; pH 5.0-6.0; dH 3-8°.
— Spottail Curimata — Curimatopsis evelynae [Gery, 1964]. (Eng. Spottail Curimata). Colombia, Amazon and Orinoco rivers. Male 3 cm, female 4 cm. An interestingly colored, peaceful, and rather rare species. A fish that, like some of its relatives, is recognized by conspecifics in the dark waters of tropical forests by a luminous organ on its tail. Coloration is beige-silver, with a reddish back shimmering with yellow-green iridescent colors. A long, distinct black stripe runs through the caudal peduncle and the fin itself, with a large carmine-red spot glowing above and below it, as well as on the tail itself. An elongated root blotch is located on the caudal peduncle.
The base of the caudal fin and the dorsal fin are colored orange. The male is more vividly colored and smaller in size than the female. The fish lives in small schools among plants and driftwood. Inhabits the middle and bottom water layers. Prefers aquariums with abundant vegetation. Compatible with peaceful tankmates. They search for food in the substrate, standing vertically like Chilodus and sorting through pebbles. Soft water. dH 3-8°; pH 5-6; T. 22-25°C.
Genus Cyphocharax, Genus Steindachnerina.
