netted prochilod
Prochilodus reticulatus
Curimatã from Lake Maracaibo and rivers in Colombia and Venezuela, reaching 28 cm. Used in aquaculture and commercial fishing.
Also called: curimatã-reticulada, bocachico, bocochico del Maracaibo, boquichico, netted prochilod
- maximum
- 28 cm
who is the netted prochilod
The reticulated curimatã is a fish of the family Prochilodontidae, reaching 28 cm. It occurs in the Lake Maracaibo basin in Venezuela and Colombia, in freshwater and brackish water, in a tropical climate. It lives in the midwater and near the bottom, from 1 m depth, and feeds on bottom detritus, like other curimatãs. It has commercial fishing and is raised in aquaculture systems. 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 netted prochilod; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
Robust, elongated fish with a downturned mouth and thick lips, like other curimatãs. Reaches 28 cm, and its name refers to the net-like pattern (reticulated) on its body. It can be confused with the Colombian curimatã (Prochilodus magdalenae), which also lives in Colombia but reaches 51 cm, much larger. In Venezuela, the species is tied to Lake Maracaibo, which helps locate the fish.
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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
Lake Maracaibo basin, in Venezuela and Colombia, in freshwater and brackish water.
Habitat: Lake Maracaibo and rivers of freshwater and brackish water, in the midwater and on the bottom.
rules for the netted prochilod
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 robust, 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 = 0.01778, b = 2.98; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa pelo gênero e formato do corpo)). 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 reticulatus (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 reticulatusNames by country and language.
