bocachico
Prochilodus magdalenae
Curimatã endemic to Colombia, from the Atrato, Sinú and Cauca-Magdalena basins, reaching 51 cm and weighing up to 905 g. A river fish that feeds on detritus and bottom mud.
Also called: curimatã-colombiana, bocachico, curimatã
- maximum
- 51 cm
- record/max.
- 0.9 kg
who is the bocachico
The Colombian curimatã is a freshwater prochilodontid of the family Prochilodontidae, reaching 51 cm and weighing up to 905 g. It occurs in Colombia, in the Atrato, Sinú and Cauca-Magdalena river basins, in tropical water, and is endemic to the country. It lives in the midwater and near the bottom, and has a robust body with the mouth turned downward, typical of curimatãs. Like others in the family, it feeds on detritus and bottom mud. For anglers, it is more of a net fish than a rod fish.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the bocachico; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Robust, elongated fish with a downturned mouth and thick lips, like other curimatãs. Reaches 51 cm. It can be confused with the reticulated curimatã (Prochilodus reticulatus), which lives in Lake Maracaibo and is much smaller, up to 28 cm. The Atrato, Sinú and Cauca-Magdalena basins, only in Colombia, are the best field clue.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Colombia, in the Atrato, Sinú and Cauca-Magdalena river basins, in tropical freshwater.
Habitat: Tropical rivers of Colombia, from midwater to the bottom.
rules for the bocachico
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
No known danger to anglers. Because it is a robust fish, hold it with both hands and release it right away.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01862, b = 2.96; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Prochilodus magdalenae (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Prochilodus magdalenaeNames by country and language.
