Think Fish - The Tropical Fish Keeping Resource

Fish Database: Endler's Livebearer - Poecilia wingei

Aquarium requirements

Aquarium suitability: 5/5
Sociability rating: 9/10
Area of tank: Middle, top, all
Aquarium water conditions: 7-8.5, m,h,vh
Temperature: 22 - 28C
Feeding: Flake, dried foods, suppliment with frozen or live small foods such as cyclops and daphnia
Minimum tank size: 30cm
Min / Max number in tank:

Fish fact file

Family: Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Synonyms: Poecilia "endlers"
Other common names: Campopa Guppy, Cumana Guppy
Origin: North-eastern Venezuela
Natural habitat: High temperature lagoons, often in green water.
Size: 3cm
Behavior: Peaceful, males may chase females
Breeding: Livebearer: easy to breed although parents will eat young. Provide hiding spots in Java Moss for fry
Natural water conditions: Hard water, pH 7-8.5
Sexing: Males small and colourful, females large and plain

Fish code No.1907

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The Endler's Livebearer is a very popular fish amongst many aquarists although its availability is sometimes limited in shops, leading to a large specialist breeders market. Endlers are very closely related to the guppy, and their appearance is very similar to that of the wild guppy, with males being small (about 2cm) and sporting bright patches of colour on the body, whilst females are larger (4cm) and plain. The colour patterns of males vary depending on the source and brood history although patches of bright orange, black, blue-green, and yellow-green are common. Wild strains have a dark band down the centre of the body and less variation of colour, but it is rare to see wild strains for sale. Almost all Endler's for sale are likely to have a small proportion of interbreeding with regular guppies at some point in their genetic history.
Endler's have now been officially classified as an individual species, although they are so similar to guppies that interbreeding is possible, and viable offspring are produced. It is best to avoid keeping the two species together so that this does not happen.
Endler's are easy to care for and relatively hardy and adaptable although they do prefer warmer water (20-28C) than wild type guppies and are fairly short lived, with a life-span of up to two years. Hard water is preferred, and since they are small, avoid larger tank mates. A very colourful and interesting fish, ideal for a community of small fishes.

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