Canivete
A striped, small-bodied member of the headstander family (Anostomidae), the Canivete lives in the fast-flowing rivers of South America's Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay basins.
Rarely exceeding 25 cm, it grazes on aquatic plants in running water and breeds in weedy shallows. Known by a patchwork of regional names across Brazil and Argentina, it's part of the rich fish diversity that defines these river systems.
Scientific Name: Leporinus striatus
Also known as Boga estriada, Boga pintada, Boga rayada, Piava, Riscadinho, Ferreirinha, Striped leporinus
- A slender, elongated body marked with distinct horizontal stripes — the pattern that earns it names like "riscadinho" (little striped one) across its range.
- Belongs to the Anostomidae family, whose members are recognized by a characteristically pointed snout and a tendency to angle head-down when resting or feeding.
- Maximum reported length is 25 cm — a compact fish by South American river standards.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay river basins in South America — river systems that drain large portions of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
- A fast-water specialist: most at home in the swift, well-oxygenated currents of larger river channels and their tributaries rather than still backwaters.
- Potamodromous — meaning it migrates within river systems rather than moving to the sea, following seasonal cues within its home drainage.
Specific Spots
- Current-swept stretches with submerged or emergent aquatic vegetation, where this herbivore can graze while holding in moving water.
- Weedy, shallow margins during the breeding season, when pairs seek out densely vegetated areas to spawn.
Canivete FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Canivete?
Plant-based baits, dough baits, or small pieces of aquatic vegetation are the logical choice for a confirmed herbivore; small hooks fished near weed growth in current are the standard approach across its range.
What do Canivete eat?
Primarily a plant-eater, grazing on aquatic vegetation, which means natural bait presentations near weed growth are more likely to draw interest than lures designed to imitate baitfish or invertebrates.
Where do Canivete live?
Native to the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay river basins in South America, river systems that drain large portions of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. A fast-water specialist: most at home in the swift, well-oxygenated currents of larger river channels and their tributaries rather than still backwaters.
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