Endlers
(Poecilia wingei)

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

None (for the moment!)

Names

Scientific name
Poecilia wingei

Common name
Endlers
Guppy Endler
Endler's livebearer
Endler's guppy

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: South America (Venezuela)
Biotope: Not specific

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

Females are less colourful and larger than males. They also have the black spot of pregnancy under the belly (common to their family). The gonopod is visible in males.

Group

Poeciliidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

54 L / 11 imp gal / 14 US gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 24 to 26°C or 75 to 79°F
pH: 7 to 8
Hardness: 10 to 18°dGH

Difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

Female: 6cm (2.4") - Male: 3cm (1.2")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

3 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and Top

Individuals

sociability of the species

2 males for 6 females

Food

How to feed the Endlers?

Food

How to feed the Endlers?

The recommended basic diet is composed of live or frozen prey such as tubifex, cyclops, artemia, bloodworms, mud worms, enchanted little ones without forgetting their favourite: the microworms! For the vegetable part, salad and spinach poached in boiling water, a slice of zucchini or carrot will do the trick. Crush them finely before serving. You can complement this diet with classic commercial foods.

If possible, provide two or three small meals a day. Excess food should be avoided so as not to pollute the water. The meal should be eaten in its entirety in 2 or 3 minutes maximum.

In order to adapt the size of the food to their tiny mouths, do not hesitate to chop them finely.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Endlers have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Endlers have?

The Endler is sociable and peaceful. He is very active and swims constantly. He will put a lot of life and colour in your aquarium!

The males are always ready to court the females. In order to keep the females away from the males' fou fouls, plan for several females for one male (3 females for 1 male) and many hiding places. The search for reproduction is a priority for these small fish, which will not show territorial or aggressive character towards other species, they have no time for that!

At night, these fish will rest rather at the bottom of the aquarium.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Endlers?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Endlers?

Ideally, keep this species in a specific aquarium of about sixty litres (13 Imp Gal / 16 US Gal). You will be able to install 2 harems there.

For a community aquarium, considering its size, the Endler can quickly become part of the menu of its roommates. To avoid this, associate it with small peaceful fish. Never associate them with their selected Guppy cousins (Poecilia reticulata) because the risk of hybridization is very high! Finally, avoid associating them with nocturnal species, especially at the bottom of the aquarium.

Cohabitation with shrimps of the Neocaridina type will not pose any problem for the adults. However, some young shrimp will be eaten.

Breeding

How to breed the Endlers?

Breeding

How to breed the Endlers?

The breed is very easy. It is not the breeding that can possibly be a problem, but the birth control! Indeed, these fish are ovoviviparous which breed without the intervention of the aquarist. It is also interesting to note that the female can have 2 to 3 different litters after a single mating (the sperm is stored by the female). Thus, it can happen that births take place without males.

Recommended water parameters are a temperature of 25/26°C (77/79°F), pH 7 and hardness of 12°dGH.

In the presence of both sexes, females will give birth to 6 to 25 tiny fry every 3 weeks (the number of fry depends on the age of the female). The eggs hatch in the belly of the female and the fry are born already formed and autonomous. Their size varies from 6 to 8 mm (2.4 to 3.2") on average. Growth is rapid with good feeding.

There is no parental predation on the young, so they can stay in the same aquarium as the parents. If you wish to limit your population, introduce predatory fish that will hunt the fry.

Food for the fry: artemia nauplias, micro worms and commercial fry surfine powder. Distribution of meals 4 to 5 times a day.

Point of vigilance: inbreeding. Only keep a few breeding individuals in your aquarium and sell/give away your fry. Another method: introduce new sexually mature individuals from time to time, either by buying them or by offering exchanges with other amateurs.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Endlers?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Endlers?

Even if this small fish can live in a nano-aquarium of about 50 litres (11 Imp Gal / 13 US Gal), plan an aquarium of at least 60 cm (27") in front. Don't forget either that they will reproduce very quickly and that you will need room for future generations!

This fish is not very demanding with regard to its decoration. A well-planted aquarium with a few roots will make him happy. Don't forget the floating plants which will be very appreciated for the shade they provide.

Filtration should not generate too strong a current because it does not like fast water.

To maintain good water quality, change 10% of the volume every week or 30% every two weeks. Simply prepare a bucket of water of the desired volume and let it stand for 24/48 hours before introducing it into the aquarium.

Always remember to close the aquarium because this guppy is a very good jumper.

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

This easy to maintain and very robust fish can be offered to beginners in aquarium keeping.

In temperate regions, you can install it in an outdoor « poubellarium » (French term) in summer! This is also beneficial to him because the young that will be born there will be particularly resistant. So don't hesitate to install your most beautiful guppies in their summer residence!

Beware of the ease of hybridization in Poeciliidae. If you have acquired a beautiful strain from a particular geographical area, preserve it!

There are many variations in the Poecilia wingei. In order to find your way around, a classification has been set up:
- N = Poecilia wingei of wild origin ("Natural")
- P = Poecilia wingei of unknown origin but close to natural colours
- K = hybrid fish resulting from the cross between Poecilia wingei and Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) = Endlers. K-fish are generally sterile.

Colours and patterns are also listed (non-exhaustive list):