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Endler Guppy, Poecilia Wingei, is a popular fish in the aquarium world because they are peaceful, colorful, and quick to make babies. They are also called Endler’s Livebearer because they give birth to live fish.
They are a close relative of the common Guppy. It is an easy nano fish to take care of, so beginners are welcome. Males are long and slender in profile and will get up to an inch long. Females have a rounded abdomen and can reach nearly 2 inches long. The males are the brighter, more colorful fish of the species. The males have vibrant colors while the females are a tannish-silver color.
It is native to South America and was first discovered by Frankly F. Bond in 1937 off of the north coast of Venezuela. Not much interest was shown in the fish, and for unknown reasons scientists considered it extinct for 40 years. The Endler Guppy gets its name from Professor John Endler who rediscovered the fish in Venezuela and brought them into the aquarium trade. They are only found in Laguna de Patos in Venezuela and the species is under threat of extinction.
The water in Lagoa dos Patos was originally brackish because it started as part of the ocean. As the environment has changed, the body of water was separated from the ocean by sand and turned into a saltwater lake. Over the years, the freshwater from rain diluted the lake enough that it is now a freshwater lake.
Guppies, mollies, and other livebearers are popular at pet stores because of their vibrant colors and how fast they reproduce. Unfortunately, a lot of inbreeding has gone on to try and create specialty colors and some of the strains are not hardy and may have shorter lifespans.
Endler Guppy Classes
Poecilia Wingei is separated into different classes: N Class, P Class, and K Class. These classifications are supposed to provide insight into the fish’s genetics.
N Class: Fish from Laguna de Patos, they are considered purebred fish.
P Class: Fish that looks like a purebred, but the genetic origins are not known.
K Class: Hybrid or crossbred fish
Endler Guppy Care
This species is a gorgeous fish that is easy to care for, making them a popular fish for aquarists of all experience levels.
Temperature
Endler Guppy fish prefer warmer waters. Temperatures from 72°F to 78°F are best.
Water pH
The pH range in the tank should be between 6.7 and 8.5.
Endler Guppy Size
Another reason the Endler Guppy is so popular is because of its small size. The males are smaller and more colorful than the females. They will only grow to be about an inch long while the females can grow to nearly 2 inches long. The males are also brightly colored and the females are a tan and silver color.
Food & Diet
Endler Guppy fish are not picky eaters. They will eat anything their small mouths can find. In the wild, they eat food such as maggots, small worms, and algae. In aquariums, they should be fed a variety of foods. They can be fed flakes, pellets, gel food, live food, dry food with vegetable supplements, and live or frozen maxillopoda such as small daphnia, cyclops, and bloodworm.
This species will scavenge food from any part of the aquarium. They eat food at the water’s surface and off of the substrate. They will eat algae if they get hungry enough. The Endler Guppy is prone to obesity, so it should not be overfed. When this fish is thriving and living its best fish life, it will display more vibrant colors.
Endler Guppy Lifespan
These fish usually live between 1 and 2 years. The females are reported to live 6 months to a year longer than their male counterparts. The temperature of the water in the tank plays a crucial role in this fish’s lifespan. Higher temperatures in the tank will speed up the metabolic processes of the fish, which in turn, shortens their lifespan.
Endler Guppy Tank Size
Endler’s Livebearers are a good fish for small tanks. They need at least a 5-gallon tank, but larger sizes are recommended because they reproduce quickly. One male and two females are recommended for a 10-gallon tank. Any more and the tank will quickly get overcrowded.
This species does not need a lot of encouragement to reproduce. Their population will grow quickly as long as the tank’s environment is suitable and they do not have to deal with a lot of predators.
Endler Guppy Tank Setup
Endler Guppy fish are schooling fish. They like smaller tanks with diverse, thickly planted flora. Floating plants are highly recommended and there should be other various small-leafed plants. Plants on the surface of the tank offer shelter for the juveniles. The fish need room to swim, so the tank does not need to be too crowded.
Small pebbles or large grain sand is preferable for a substrate. A filter that does not create a strong current is needed to keep the tank clean. 25 to 30% of the water should be renewed weekly. These fish do not do well with abrupt changes. Dramatic changes in water temperature can negatively impact the fish’s fins. This is why regular water changes are recommended but in small amounts.
Endler Guppy Breeding
Endler’s Livebearers will breed as long as they have clean water, enough food, and at least one male and one female. Babies will start showing up in the tank every 23 to 30 days. The parents will eat the fry. A lot of cover in the form of plants or decorations will help them survive. A sponge filter is needed to keep the babies from getting sucked up. When they are fully grown, they can be sold to a local fish store or given to friends or family.
These fish are small and it is easy to differentiate the males and females. The males are smaller than the females. They only grow to be about an inch long. The females will grow up to 1.8 inches.
Male fish have vibrant rainbow colors. They can have colorings that range from red to violet. Each fish has a long tail that has a fancy pattern unique to that fish. Think of this like this fish’s fingerprint. No other fish has one exactly like it.
The females are not as stunning as the males. They are silver or gold in color and are longer and rounder than the male fish. The female fish also has shorter fins. Many have a small spot behind their abdomen that indicates embryos.
Endler Guppy Disease
Endler’s Livebearer is susceptible to all of the common problems other freshwater fish deal with. The good news is they do not have any specialty diseases that they are known to suffer from.
The biggest offenders will be ich, parasites, and fin rot. Ich attacks when the water parameters in the tank are off and the fish is feeling a bit stressed. Too much ammonia or improper temperature ranges are the usual culprits in these cases. However it started, it needs to be taken care of quickly because this parasite will spread to other fish if given the chance. More good news! Medication is simple and easy to get and will take care of the problem quickly.
Other parasites like skin flukes and worms are common pests seen with this species too. This is seen a lot in wild-caught fish, so quarantining new fish is important in making sure no parasites are introduced into a community tank.
Fin rot happens because of bacterial infections or physical injuries. Fin rot is a common problem seen in fish with flowing fins, like Endler Guppy. Treatment for this involves quarantining the infected fish and giving them medication.
Endler Guppy Tank Mates
This species does not like to be alone. They are more comfortable in a group of Endler Guppies. The best ratio is 1 male for every 2 or 3 females. There need to be more females than males or the poor ladies will never get any rest from the men chasing them.
Compatible Tank Mates
Endler Guppies get along with other small, peaceful fish. Tetras, Danios, and Cory Catfish are all wonderful choices. If the population of Endler Guppies is getting out of hand, African Dwarf Frogs will eat some of the fry and leave the adults alone.
Incompatible Tank Mates
No aggressive species need apply. Endler’s Livebearers are far too small to defend themselves against bigger fish.
Guppies will breed with Endler Guppies if kept in the same tank. There is nothing wrong with this, but the fish’s genetics will be affected. Since this species is so rare, aquarists generally want to keep this fish’s genetics as pure as possible.
Where Can I Find Endler Guppies for Sale?
They can be found at most pet stores that carry fish. They are easily found online and a school of 3 fish will cost about $25.
Types of Endler Guppies
There are a lot of different Endler Guppy types. Some of the popular types include Tiger Endlers, Black Bar Endlers, Peacock Endlers, Blue Star Endlers, and Silverado Endlers.