Knife livebearer

[Sorrell]

Hi there! Today I went to a fish store and saw some gorgeous fish I had never seen before. They said they were called "rice tetras" which I had never heard of, but I have spaces for tetras so I got the pair. When I got home I did searches on here and google and could not find anything at all with rice tetra, so I whipped out my big fish book.
I found them under livebearers as alfaro cultratus and then through google I learned that their common name is Knife Livebearer.
Does anyone have any info on these guys? I am especially wondering where to house them. Do they need salt? I have no problem setting up a tank for them if that needs done. Basically my other options are a ten gallon with tiger barbs or a 29 with rummy nose, glass cats, kuhlis, and discus. Or they can have their own.

Thanks for the help, these fish are gorgeous and I want to do whats best

edit-does anyone know how to sex them?

 

[shrks1fan]

My "Handbook of Aquarium Fishes" has them listed. Here is what it says about them:

"Temperment: This predaceous species is best kept in a tank by itself."

"Sex Differences: male has a gonopodium"

Congrats on the cool find...POST PICS! hehe

Linda

 

[cometcattle]

My book says males are smaller also.

They also need lots of circulation.

 

[Sorrell]

Thanks for the replies guys! I guess I will set something up for them, I hope I have an actual pair...I'll have to investigate

 

[shrks1fan]

Let us know, and GET SOME PICS UP! hehe

Linda

 

[Sorrell]

Pictures!

http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?sh...pic=48252&st=0&

 

[copeina]

Google gives 596 results for 'alfaro cultratus'

Here is a good basic info page.

http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/kniflive.htm

These fish are relatively common, but have very little commercial value, so don't usually show up in stores. Find you local Aquarium Society or check out the American Livebearer Ass'n if you have the bug bad enough!

http/livebearers.org/ALAPublic/Default.htm

Good luck and enjoy.

/Kris