Flagtail Prochilodus Identification Guide
Identify the Flagtail Prochilodus by its striking red-and-black striped tail fin and netted scale pattern.
Read the full Flagtail Prochilodus encyclopedia entry →
Key identification features
- Deep, laterally compressed, silvery body typical of the characin family
- A small, protrusible, sucker-like mouth adapted for grazing algae and biofilm
- Bold black and red-orange stripes running across the tail fin, giving the "flagtail" name
- Reddish tint on the other fins, contrasting with the silver body
- Scales edged in dark pigment, creating a fine netted or cross-hatched appearance on the flanks
- A rounded snout and relatively small eyes
Common look-alikes
- Other Semaprochilodus species: share the same body shape but differ in the exact color intensity and stripe pattern on the tail fin.
- Prochilodus species: have a similar sucker mouth and netted scale pattern but show plainer, less vividly banded fins overall.
- Silver dollar fish: share a deep silvery body but lack the protrusible sucker mouth and banded tail entirely.
Where you'll see one
Flagtail prochilodus inhabit large rivers, floodplain lakes, and seasonally flooded forests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They travel in large schools in open water, often undertaking long migrations tied to seasonal flooding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to identify a flagtail prochilodus?
Look at the tail fin: bold black and red-orange stripes across the caudal fin are the clearest giveaway for this species.
How does a flagtail prochilodus differ from a silver dollar fish?
The flagtail prochilodus has a small, protrusible sucker-like mouth and a strikingly banded tail, features the plainer silver dollar fish lacks.