Alfaro cultratus (Regan, 1908)
Knife livebearer
photo by Brill, J.

Family:  Poeciliidae (Poeciliids), subfamily: Poeciliinae
Max. size:  7.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 8 cm (female)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6 - 8; dH range: 5 - 12, non-migratory
Distribution:  Central America: Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits waters of low to moderate velocity, between 0 and 300 m elevation. Lives on creeks of more than 0.5 m deep, in ditches and near shorelines of large rivers. Generally swims in small groups at a depth of 20 cm. Insectivorous, the young eat mainly aquatic insects and the adults feed specifically on terrestrial insects (Ref. 36880). Found in a rapidly flowing rainforest stream (Ref. 26130).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 February 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.