Placing data in a data storage array based on detection of different data streams within an incoming flow of data

A technique performs stream-based storage of data. The technique involves receiving, by processing circuitry of data storage equipment, an incoming flow of data. The technique further involves detecting, by the processing circuitry, different data streams within the incoming flow of data. The technique further involves performing, by the processing circuitry, data placement operations based on the different data streams detected within the incoming flow of data. The data placement operations are configured and operative to place data of each data stream of the different data streams in a different segment of storage provided by a data storage array of the data storage equipment. With data of each data stream being placed in a different segment, the resulting operation is more efficient, e.g., optimized sequential reads and writes, more effective data prefetching, more effective auto-tiering of data, and so on.