Endler's Livebearer care guide
Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 22-28 °C, pH 6.5-8. Peaceful middle-water species.
Overview
Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a small livebearer closely related to the common Guppy. Males display intense, neon-bright patterns of green, orange and black; females remain drab and slightly larger. Hardy and prolific, the species is well suited to nano aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poeciliidae
- Genus: Poecilia
- Scientific name: Poecilia wingei
- Common synonyms: Endler Guppy
Habitat
Native to the Paria Peninsula in north-eastern Venezuela, including the Laguna de Patos and Laguna de Campoma systems. The natural waters are warm, slightly hard and often subject to seasonal change.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 2-3 cm
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8
- GH: 10-25 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 1-3 years
Diet
An omnivore. In aquaria a varied diet of micro-pellets and crushed flake supplemented with small live or frozen foods (daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii) and an occasional vegetable component supports colour and reproduction.
Compatibility
A peaceful community species. Suitable companions include small Corydoras, Neon Tetra, Otocinclus and dwarf shrimp. Avoid keeping with common Guppies as the two species hybridise readily, which contributes to genetic loss in pure Endler stocks.
Breeding
A prolific livebearer; females give birth approximately every 23 days, with litters ranging from one to about 30 fry. Males develop full colouration within roughly six months. To preserve pure lines, keep separated from common Guppy stocks.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Endangered (2024 assessment). Wild populations are threatened by habitat destruction, pollution and hybridisation with feral Guppies; the aquarium trade today relies overwhelmingly on captive-bred stock.