Streaked Prochilod

Prochilodus lineatus reaches up to 80 cm (2.6 ft) in length - though it is commonly around 45 cm (1.5 ft) long - and 9 kg (20 lb) in weight. Its body is tall and compressed, greenish-gray (lighter on the belly), with yellowish green fins. Its mouth is circular and projects towards the front; it has two series of small teeth.

The species is found in the Paraná-Paraguay basin, Paraíba do Sul, Lagoa dos Patos and surrounding rivers, the Mar Chiquita basin and surrounding rivers, Rio Salado, and Laguna de Chascomus.

The species may comprise more than 50% of the fish biomass in a river system. The fish feeds on biofilm, for which its mouth is especially adapted to scrape from the river bottom. The species also feeds on detritus, being illiophagous. It selects detritus rich in amino acids and is able to selectively avoid mineral matter and refractory organic matter. The species is highly migratory, looking for warm waters during the spring in order to lay its eggs. While spawning, the fish may form pairs, and males may stay near the nest to guard the eggs.