Black prochilodus
Prochilodus nigricans
Prochilodus nigricans, or black prochilodus, is a species of prochilodontid fish from the Amazon Basin in South America. It supports major fisheries; according to IBAMA, it is the third most caught taxon in the Brazilian Amazon by weight, after Brachyplatystoma vaillantii and Semaprochilodus spp.
8
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prochilodus_nigricans
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Characiformes
Family
Prochilodontidae
Genus
Prochilodus
Black prochilodus belongs to the family Prochilodontidae, order Characiformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
Prochilodus nigricans, or black prochilodus, is a species of prochilodontid fish from the Amazon Basin in South America. It supports major fisheries; according to IBAMA, it is the third most caught taxon in the Brazilian Amazon by weight, after Brachyplatystoma vaillantii and Semaprochilodus spp. The black prochilodus is migratory, moving between different parts of the Amazon. The black prochilodus reaches up to 45 cm (18 in) in total length and 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) in weight.
Black prochilodus faces significant pressure from overfishing throughout its range, as it is heavily targeted for commercial and subsistence fisheries due to its economic importance. Habitat degradation from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and dam construction along major river systems further threatens spawning and feeding areas. Climate change and altered precipitation patterns are disrupting seasonal flooding cycles that are critical for the species' reproductive success.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Large river systems and floodplains throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins, including main river channels, tributaries, and seasonally flooded forests (várzea). The species requires access to both deep river channels for adult habitat and shallow floodplain areas for spawning and juvenile development.
Threats
Dam construction and river fragmentation
Overfishing and unsustainable harvest
Agricultural runoff and water pollution
Climate change altering flood cycles
Deforestation and riparian habitat loss
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Black prochilodus (Prochilodus nigricans). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/black-prochilodus