Semaprochilodus taeniurus

Alternative names

 * Silver Prochilodus, ,

Sexing

 * Very difficult to visually sex.

Tank compatibility

 * Does appreciate company of it's own kind if the tank is very large with plenty of lateral swimming space, but otherwise a single specimen should be kept as in tight confines they can be feisty towards one another. Can be kept with other similar-sized large robust fish, such as Arowana and Freshwater Stingrays.

Diet

 * Needs a vegetarian diet of blanched vegetables, algae and algae-based pellet or flake food. Will also nibble plants.

Feeding regime

 * Feed once or twice a day.

Environment Specifics

 * Needs a large spacious tank with plenty of open swimming space, otherwise generally unfussy about decor. Will eat plants and any décor should be secure, prefers a sandy substrate.

Behaviour

 * Generally peaceful but can be territorial if there's not enough space.

Identification

 * A large high-back fish that can be mistaken for the similar Semaprochilodus insignis. You can tell the difference by the presence of dark spots on the sides that do not fade as the fish matures. Young S. insignis also exhibit these spots but they disappear with age.


 * The body is silver with large scales while the caudal and anal fins have bold black and yellow horizontal bars. The pelvic fins are red while the dorsal is tall and translucent with yellow hues and white spots. There is some red colouring around the head and gill plates.