Alfaro cultratus

Scientific name: Alfaro cultratus Regan, 1908

Alfaro cultratus

Alfaro cultratus is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows to about 7.5 cm (3 in). It is easy to keep and semi-aggressive, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 24–26°C (75–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: Central America, Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.

Alfaro cultratus care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
7.5 cm (3 in)
Minimum tank
75 L (20 US gal)
Temperature
24–26°C (75–79°F)
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
5–12 dGH (89–214 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

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. Found in a rapidly flowing rainforest stream.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Alfaro cultratus
Family
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Order
Cyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
7.5
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12 pelagic; non-migratory
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Central America: Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=0.5)

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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