About Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Prochilodus lineatus, commonly known as the streaked prochilod, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Prochilodontidae. It is native to the Paraná-Paraguay and Paraíba do Sul river basins of South America. This species makes long breeding migrations and supports very important fisheries. In river systems where it occurs, P. lineatus can make up more than 50% of total fish biomass. Its mouth is specially adapted to scrape biofilm off the river bottom for feeding. It is also classified as illiophagous, feeding on detritus. The species actively selects detritus that is rich in amino acids, and can selectively avoid mineral matter and refractory organic matter. P. lineatus is highly migratory: in spring it travels to find warm waters where it can lay its eggs. When spawning, the fish may form pairs, and males may stay close to the nest to guard the eggs.
