Endler\u2019s livebearers, known as poecilia wingei, shimmer like underwater jewels. These dazzling freshwater fish are hard to miss, grabbing your attention right away. What\u2019s more, they don\u2019t demand much care. This makes them a favorite among fish enthusiasts, newer folks, and even those who\u2019ve been at it for ages. Curious about why they\u2019re so beloved? Dive in to find out more.<\/p>\n
But there are some things you should know about these fish before you try your hand at ownership. Due to their limited distribution, there are some condition requirements that you can\u2019t compromise on!<\/p>\n
Read this guide to learn the fundamentals of Endler\u2019s livebearer care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Species Summary<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re looking for a semi-rare freshwater fish that\u2019s easy to care for, the Endler\u2019s livebearer is worth considering. Scientifically known as poecilia wingei, these fish are so gorgeous that fishkeepers have developed a grading system to determine their genetic purity!<\/p>\n
![\"Endler's](\"https:\/\/www.aquariumsource.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/endlers-livebearer-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nInterestingly enough, Endler\u2019s livebearers are part of the Poecilia genus, which is the same genus as mollies<\/a> and guppies<\/a>. From a genetic standpoint, the fish is the same as the common guppy. But, it was given its own scientific name for conservation purposes.<\/p>\n This makes sense given the fish\u2019s limited distribution. Endler\u2019s livebearers are only found in Laguna de Patos in Venezuela, and the wild population is currently under threat.<\/strong><\/p>\n Luckily, this species is easy to breed. It thrives in captivity and continually spawns, allowing every aquarist to enjoy its beauty!<\/p>\n There\u2019s no mistaking the Endler\u2019s livebearer with another species. Sure, they look similar to guppies in shape and size. You may even see them labeled as Endler\u2019s guppies. But, the bright colors these fish display are unmistakable.<\/p>\n Males are <\/strong>the most colorful<\/strong><\/a> of the bunch.<\/strong> They take on a series of metallic and neon hues. Oftentimes, those colors are blocked out to create a somewhat psychedelic appearance!<\/p>\n You might see patches of bright green, orange, yellow, blue, and more! Some fish also have transparent fins with splashes of color. The transparent base makes the fins look like they have a quirky shape.<\/p>\n There are many different color strains available. Some common ones include:<\/p>\n As we mentioned earlier, you\u2019ll often see poecilia wingei separated into different classes. These fish readily spawn with standard guppies, so the classification system is meant to provide you with more insight into a fish\u2019s genetics.<\/p>\n \u201cN Class\u201d fish are those that come from Laguna de Patos. They are the purest fish.<\/p>\n \u201cP Class\u201d fish look pure, but their genetic origins are unknown.<\/p>\n Finally, there are \u201cK Class\u201d fish. These are the fish born by crossbred or hybrid fish.<\/p>\n Author Note:<\/strong> Like Guppies, male specimens have a slender body and fan-like tail full of color. Females, on the other hand, are more muted. They usually take on a silver or tan color and have a smaller tail.<\/p>\n The average Endler\u2019s livebearer lifespan is between two and three years.<\/strong> In many cases, females will live shorter lives than males. This is due to the toll frequent spawning takes on the body.<\/p>\n Of course, there\u2019s no way to know for sure how long an Endler\u2019s livebearer will live. Many factors (including genetics and the quality of care you provide) will impact life expectancy.<\/p>\n The typical size of an Endler\u2019s livebearer is 1.8 inches when fully grown.<\/strong> As you can see, these fish aren\u2019t very big at all!<\/p>\n Females can get a bit longer. In some cases, female poecilia wingei can reach two inches or even more!<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to be an expert aquarist to handle Endler\u2019s livebearer care. Like their more common guppy cousins, these freshwater fish are one of the easiest in the trade! They\u2019re perfect for beginners and seasoned fish-keepers alike.<\/p>\n All that said, there are some important care guidelines to follow. These fish come from a single wild habitat, so they have some distinct needs you need to address.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with the easiest part: the aquarium! Thanks to their small size, Endler\u2019s livebearers only need a tank size of 20 gallons to thrive.<\/strong> A 20-gallon tank is suitable for a group of four or five fish.<\/p>\n If you want to keep more, increase the tank size accordingly. As a good rule of thumb, add about four or five gallons of volume per fish.<\/p>\n Author Note:<\/strong> There are some guides online that say Endler\u2019s livebearers can be kept in a 5 gallon tank. This is not correct, and will ultimately lead to a very poor quality of life for these fish.<\/p>\n Like any other freshwater fish species, the key to keeping an Endler\u2019s livebearer healthy is to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. This doesn\u2019t just apply to decor. Water conditions need to match as well.<\/p>\n Poecilia wingei are endemic to a single body of water: Laguna De Patos. This lake is very warm and has high concentrations of algae. As a result, the parameters are a bit different than what you might be used to.<\/p>\n Endler\u2019s livebearers prefer hard water and relatively high pH levels. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures (they are a great cold water fish<\/a>), but moderate temperatures are generally best.<\/p>\n Here are some general water parameters to stick to:<\/p>\n A well-decorated tank is a must for this fish! The environments they naturally inhabit are teeming with vegetation and algae. You don\u2019t have to go so far as to add algae into the tank, but live plants are an important addition.<\/strong><\/p>\n Live plants act as a source of food and shelter for the fish. When the fish spawn, the plants also serve as a safe hiding place for vulnerable fry.<\/p>\n Add a nice variety of floating<\/a> and stemmed plants. You can also add some floor cover and foreground plants to keep things interesting!<\/p>\n Suitable plant options include Java fern<\/a>, water sprite<\/a>, duckweed, cabomba<\/a>, hornwort<\/a>, hygrophila polysperma, water wisteria<\/a>, and more!<\/p>\n On the bottom of the tank, use a soft substrate. Endler\u2019s livebearers will spend most of their time in the middle and top of the water column, but they occasionally venture to the substrate to burrow.<\/p>\n Choose a fine gravel or sand substrate that they can easily move.<\/p>\n Now, onto equipment!<\/strong><\/p>\n The most important things you\u2019ll need are a suitable filtration system and a secure lid.<\/p>\n The filtration system doesn\u2019t have to be super powerful, as these fish don\u2019t produce a ton of waste. But, it should cycle the tank efficiently to keep ammonia and nitrates low.<\/p>\n A standard hang-on-back filter works well. The outlet of this filter provides some nice water flow, which is a great perk.<\/p>\n Just make sure that you\u2019re covering the intake or using a sponge. Young and weak fish could easily get sucked into the filtration system!<\/p>\n Author Note:<\/strong> Don\u2019t forget to top your tank off with a secure lid. These guys are surprisingly agile and can leap out of the tank without missing a beat!<\/p>\n The good news is that the Endler\u2019s livebearer isn\u2019t known to suffer from any specialty diseases. The bad news? They are still susceptible to all the common health problems that freshwater fish encounter.<\/p>\n Some of the biggest issues you might have to deal with are Ich, parasites, and fin rot.<\/strong><\/p>\n Ich is a parasitic infection that often attacks fish when they are feeling stressed. You\u2019re most likely to encounter this disease if the water parameters in the tank are not correct. It could be improper temperature ranges or too much ammonia.<\/p>\n Whatever the case may be, you need to address it quickly! Ich can spread throughout the community and take out all of your fish if you\u2019re not careful. Luckily, simple medications can take care of the problem in no time.<\/p>\n Parasites, such as skin flukes and worms, are pretty common with this species, too. This is especially true with wild-caught specimens. Make sure to quarantine any new fish to ensure that parasite problems don\u2019t spread.<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally, there\u2019s fin rot<\/a>. This disease is often a product of bacterial infections or physical injuries. It\u2019s common with fish that have flowing fins like the Endler\u2019s livebearer.<\/p>\n To treat this condition, quarantine your poecilia wingei and use over-the-counter medications to stop the spread of the bacteria.<\/p>\n Endler\u2019s livebearers are omnivores. They will eat just about anything they can get their fins on!<\/p>\n In captivity, it\u2019s best to provide a standard diet of dry flakes or pellets.<\/strong> Look out for a balanced product that\u2019s formulated to improve coloration.<\/p>\n To supplement the commercial food, you can provide live, frozen, or freeze-dried snacks. These fish have healthy appetites for high-protein foods like bloodworms<\/a>, daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and black worms.<\/p>\nAppearance<\/h2>\n
![\"Poecilia](\"https:\/\/www.aquariumsource.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/poecilia-wingei-1024x678.jpg\")
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Lifespan<\/h2>\n
Average Size<\/h2>\n
Endler\u2019s Livebearer Care<\/h2>\n
Tank Size<\/h3>\n
Water Parameters<\/h3>\n
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Tank Setup<\/h3>\n
![\"Group](\"https:\/\/www.aquariumsource.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/endlers-livebearer-fish-together-1024x678.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCommon Potential Diseases<\/h3>\n
![\"Some](\"https:\/\/www.aquariumsource.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/endlers-livebearer-swimming-tank-mate-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nFood & Diet<\/h2>\n