Spawning Report Updated: Alfaro cultratus, the knife livebearer
Some of the fry grown up. Picture August 2024.
Name: John Satterlee
Scientific Name of Fish* Alfaro cultratus
Hobby Name of Fish: Knife livebearer
Method of Reproduction: Live bearer
Number and Gender Distribution of Parents : Trio
Origin of Parents: Tank raised, Ed’s exotic aquatics
Approximate number of eggs or fry*
Date of Hatch or Birth* May 19, 2024 around 16 fry
Date of Free Swimming If Hatched:
Approx. Number of Fry at 30 Days* raised 80-90% of each batch
Approx. Number of Fry at 60 Days _____________
Aquarium Conditions:
pH 7.2
General Hardness: 150 ppm
Average Temperature (F) 72-82 depending on season
Salinity: None
Average Nitrate: less than 40 ppm.
Aquarium Size: 20 Gallon
Water Source: Rockville town water
Water Changes: Every two months, 80-90% water change
Filtration System: Sponge filter
Additives: tablespoon of crushed coral
Décor:
Live Plants: Bolbitis, Valisnaria in clay pots. Guppy grass.
Hiding Places: Clay pots
Substrate: Thin layer of pool sand
Lighting Type and Timing: Home depot shop light, 14 hours light, 10 hours dark
Food Fed to Parents and How Often* Tetramin flake food daily, Hikari algae wafers twice per week, Live baby brine shrimp twice a week. Live black worms every 2-3 weeks.
Feeding and raising fry: Fed like parents with emphasis on freshly hatched baby brine and sera micron (dry food). I have sold several batches of these at PVAS auctions.
Parents had a starter baby a few months ago. I collected 16 fry on May 19, 2024.