Endlers guppy

Poecilia wingei, commonly known as Endler’s Livebearer or Endler’s Guppy, is a small, colourful livebearer from warm, hard-water lagoons in northeastern Venezuela. Females grow to approximately 4.5 cm while males remain smaller at 2.5 cm and display vivid iridescent colouration. A tank of 40 litres or larger is suitable for maintaining a thriving colony of these active, engaging fish. They prefer temperatures of 24–30 °C, pH of 7.0–8.5, and hard, alkaline water. Endler’s Livebearers are undemanding and prolific, making them excellent for beginners. A planted aquarium with floating plants is strongly recommended to provide cover for fry. The species is omnivorous, feeding on zoobenthos and detritus in nature, and readily accepts all standard aquarium foods. Vegetable matter should be included in the diet for optimal health. While males are peaceful towards one another, females may establish a loose hierarchy, so several should be kept to disperse attention. Endler’s Livebearers must not be housed with common guppies (Poecilia reticulata), as the two species hybridise readily and produce sterile or less colourful offspring. Suitable tankmates include dwarf corydoras, small rainbowfish, and peaceful tetras. Breeding is exceptionally easy: females produce broods of 5–25 fry every 23–24 days and adults rarely prey on their young. Fry accept brine shrimp nauplii and powdered flake from birth, reaching sexual maturity in as little as two months.