Care
The Flagtail Prochilodus has a wide distribution throughout the central and western portions of the Amazon river and its tributaries. This striking characin grows to an impressive size and will require a spacious aquarium from the outset. Although it can be safely housed alongside other medium-sized fish species (e.g. other characins of similar size, knifefish, L-number plecos, peaceful cichlids etc), it can be rather antagonistic towards its own kind, so is best kept singly or in a group of 6 or more so that any aggression is spread throughout the shoal. The Flagtail Prochilodus can be a little sensitive, so it is vital that the aquarium is biologically mature and small partial water changes are carried out on a regular basis. Provide them with a sandy substrate, river rocks, and tangles of driftwood to hide amongst. Unfortunately, most plants will be eaten, as anything green and leafy tends to be regarded as food. However, some aquarists have reasonable success keeping them alongside Java fern (which tends to taste bitter) or tough-leaved plants such as some of the larger Anubias species. Another option is aquascaping with plastic or silk plants. Bright lighting is not usually a problem as these fish will happily browse on most types of algae. A very similar species, S. taeniurus, is also traded under the Flagtail Prochilodus nametag. Both species sport a smattering of small dark spots across the flanks when juvenile, however, these fade with age in S. insignis. These fish are expert jumpers - tight fitting coverslides are essential.
Feeding
Omnivorous, but a large proportion of the diet should consist of vegetable matter. Offer flake, green flake, slow-sinking pellets, algae wafers, cucumber, spinach, lettuce, watercress, soft- or fine-leaved aquatic plants (e.g. Cabomba caroliniana), and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc. Larger specimens will eat krill, chopped prawns etc.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium. In the wild, it has been documented as spawning via a complex migratory process.
