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Hubers knife livebearer (Alfaro huberi) — Poeciliidae

Hubers knife livebearer

Alfaro huberi
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hubers knife livebearer (Alfaro huberi) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central America
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Huber's knife livebearer is a small livebearing toothcarp from Central America, ranging from southern Guatemala through Honduras to Nicaragua. Males stay around 5 cm, smaller than the females that reach up to 7 cm. The species owes its name to the serrated, keel-like lower edge of the caudal peduncle, characteristic of the genus Alfaro. The fish has a slender, streamlined body and lives in clear, fast-flowing fresh water, where it feeds on insects and small invertebrates. As a livebearer, the female gives birth to live young. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hubers knife livebearer?

The Hubers knife livebearer has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Serrated, keel-shaped lower edge of the caudal peduncle; ovoviviparous

Where does the Hubers knife livebearer live?

The Hubers knife livebearer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central America

How big does the Hubers knife livebearer get?

The Hubers knife livebearer grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Hubers knife livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Hubers knife livebearer is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Hubers knife livebearer edible?

The Hubers knife livebearer is not usually eaten.

More photos

Hubers knife livebearer (Alfaro huberi) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) delmer jonathan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hubers knife livebearer (Alfaro huberi) — Poeciliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) desertnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Hubers knife livebearer (Alfaro huberi) — Poeciliidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Hubers knife livebearer (Alfaro huberi) — Poeciliidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Josue Ramos Galdamez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hubers knife livebearer verified
Scientific name
Alfaro huberi
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Central America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Ovoviviparous species; reproduces year-round in warm water. sourced
Special features
Serrated, keel-shaped lower edge of the caudal peduncle; ovoviviparous sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Alfaro

More from the family Poeciliidae

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