Knife Livebearer

Care

The Knife Livebearer has a subtle beauty that is best showcased in a generously planted species tank environment. This mid-to-surface dwelling species will appreciate the inclusion of tall or floating plants to provide additional security. The aquarium should be as spacious as possible, with broken lines of sight amongst the decor, as Knife Livebearers can sometimes be rather feisty with one another. If tankmates must be included, these should be robust and of a similar size to these oddly shy but mildly-aggressive fish. Knife Livebearers typically inhabit moderately flowing waters in the wild, and are best served by a tank that incorporates decent water circulation and good aeration. Ensure partial water changes are performed regularly as these fish are sensitive to the build-up of pollutants. Knife Livebearers earned their common name from the row of modified overlapping scales that form a "keel" along the base of the fish from the anal fin to the caudal fin, which resembles a knife edge.

Feeding

These fish require a good variety of meaty frozen foods, as in the wild they are known to take insects and insect larvae from the water's surface. Mosquito larvae are preferred, but they will also enjoy vitamin-enriched brineshrimp and daphnia. With time, should also take good quality flake food and micropellets.

Breeding

Knife Livebearers are viviparous (give birth to live young) and are easily bred. In a well planted tank, fry should appear on a regular basis, numbering anywhere between 10 and 30 per brood. The fry can be fed on crushed flake and baby brineshrimp, moving on to larger foodstuffs as they grow. Adults will predate on the fry, so if you wish to raise a larger number, they should be transferred to a separate growing-on aquarium as and when you notice them (broods will typically appear every 3-4 weeks).