Endler’s Livebearer: Fish Species Profile

The Endler’s Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a small and colorful species of freshwater fish known for its vibrant colors, ease of care, and lively personality. Often mistaken for a type of guppy due to their similar appearance, Endler’s Livebearers are actually a distinct species with a more compact size and a range of vibrant hues. Native to Venezuela, these fish are highly prized in aquariums for their active schooling behavior, striking coloration, and peaceful nature.

• Common Names: Endler’s Livebearer, Endler’s Guppy
• Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei
• Adult Size: Typically 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) in length
• Life Expectancy: 2 to 3 years in a well-maintained tank

Characteristics

Endler’s Livebearers are known for their small size and brilliant coloration. Males are especially vibrant, often exhibiting a mix of bright colors such as neon blue, green, orange, and red, often with speckled or iridescent patterns. Females are typically larger, less colorful, and have a rounder body shape, particularly when gravid (carrying eggs). These livebearers are peaceful, social fish that thrive in schools, making them ideal for community tanks.

• Family: Poeciliidae
• Origin: Native to freshwater streams in Venezuela, particularly near the coastal regions of the Caribbean
• Social Behavior: Peaceful and social; thrives in schools
• Tank Level: Middle to upper-level swimmers
• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (38 liters) for a small group
• Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on a mix of plant material and small invertebrates
• Breeding: Livebearers (gives birth to live fry)
• Care Level: Easy; suitable for beginner aquarists
• Water Conditions:
  • pH: 6.5 to 8.0
  • Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C)
  • Hardness: 5 to 15 dGH

Origin and Distribution

Endler’s Livebearers are native to the freshwater streams and rivers of Venezuela, particularly in areas near the coastal regions of the Caribbean. They are typically found in shallow, warm waters with vegetation and light current. Due to their small size and attractive coloration, Endler’s Livebearers have been widely bred and distributed for the aquarium trade, often kept in both small and large community tanks.

Colors and Markings

One of the most striking features of Endler’s Livebearers is their vivid coloration, especially in males. The males often display a beautiful mix of bright blues, greens, reds, and oranges, with iridescent scales and speckles that shimmer under the light. Their coloration is most intense during breeding times when they display these vibrant colors to attract females. Females are generally less colorful, with more neutral hues, and they are larger and rounder, particularly when carrying fry.

Tankmates

Endler’s Livebearers are peaceful and social fish that do well in community aquariums with other small, non-aggressive species. They are particularly suited to tanks with other peaceful livebearers, small tetras, and other tiny, non-territorial fish. While they are peaceful, males can be competitive with each other for the attention of females, so it is best to keep more females than males to reduce aggression. These fish thrive in groups, which brings out their natural schooling behavior.

• Recommended Tankmates:
  • Other peaceful livebearers like guppies, mollies, and platies
  • Small tetras like neon tetras or ember tetras
  • Small rasboras or danios
  • Peaceful bottom-dwelling species like Corydoras catfish or shrimp
• Fish to Avoid:
  • Larger or more aggressive species like cichlids or barbs
  • Fin-nipping species or fish that may outcompete them for food

Habitat and Care

Endler’s Livebearers are easy to care for and adapt well to a variety of tank setups. They thrive in aquariums with plenty of plants, as this provides both shelter and natural foraging opportunities. They prefer clean water with stable conditions, and a gentle filtration system is ideal. These fish do well in slightly alkaline to neutral water conditions, and regular water changes are important to maintain water quality.

• Ideal Aquarium Conditions:
  • A well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spaces created by plants or decorations
  • A soft, sandy or fine gravel substrate
  • Moderate filtration with gentle water movement
  • Regular water changes to maintain water quality
  • Stable temperature and pH levels within the recommended range

Diet and Feeding

Endler’s Livebearers are omnivorous and enjoy a varied diet. They readily accept high-quality flakes, micro pellets, and live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. They will also graze on algae and plant matter in the aquarium, making them useful in maintaining a clean tank. A balanced diet ensures their vibrant colors and overall health.

• Feeding Tips:
  • Feed small amounts 2-3 times a day
  • Provide a mix of plant-based foods and protein-rich foods
  • Remove any uneaten food after 5-10 minutes to avoid water quality issues
  • Supplement their diet with live or frozen foods for variety

Gender Differences

Male and female Endler’s Livebearers are easy to differentiate based on size, shape, and coloration. Males are smaller, more colorful, and display more intense hues, especially during breeding. Females are larger, rounder, and less vibrant in color. They also tend to have a more plump appearance when carrying fry.

• Male: Smaller, more colorful, with bright hues and a slender body
• Female: Larger, rounder, less colorful, particularly when gravid

Breeding

Endler’s Livebearers are livebearers, meaning they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. The male will court the female by displaying his vibrant colors, and once fertilization occurs, the female will carry the fry internally for about 3-4 weeks before giving birth. The fry are fully formed and swim immediately after birth, making them easy to care for. Since the fry are livebearing, it’s important to provide plenty of hiding spots for them to reduce predation from adult fish.

• Breeding Tips:
  • Maintain a ratio of 1 male to 2-3 females to reduce stress on the females
  • Provide plenty of plants or breeding mops for the fry to hide in
  • After birth, move the fry to a separate tank or use a breeding net to protect them from adult fish

More Pet Fish Species and Further Research

If you enjoy keeping Endler’s Livebearers, you may want to explore other types of livebearers, such as guppies, mollies, and platies. Small, peaceful tetras, rasboras, and danios also make excellent companions. Researching the needs of other small, peaceful species will help you create a harmonious and vibrant aquarium.

FAQ

Q: How many Endler’s Livebearers should I keep together?
A: It’s best to keep a group of at least 6-8 Endler’s Livebearers together to allow them to exhibit natural schooling behavior. A ratio of 1 male to 2-3 females works well.

Q: Are Endler’s Livebearers hard to care for?
A: No, they are relatively easy to care for and are great for beginner aquarists. They adapt well to various tank setups as long as water quality is maintained.

Q: How can I tell if my Endler’s Livebearer is male or female?
A: Males are smaller, more colorful, and have a slender body shape, while females are larger, rounder, and less colorful, especially when gravid.