Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
Also known as Endler's Guppy, Endler
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tiny, neon-flecked livebearer that suits a small, planted tank better than a general community. Its small size makes it easy prey, so keep it alone or with other tiny, peaceful fish. It needs hard water, breeds readily, and looks wonderful under floating plants.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 11 US gal
- Footprint
- 18 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 75–86 °F
- pH
- 7–8.5
- Hardness
- 15–35 dGH
- Swim zone
- Top
- Min group
- 3 or more
- Lifespan
- 2–5 years
Endler's Livebearer tank mates and swim zone
Top
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Danio margaritatus
Puntius titteya
Hymenochirus boettgeri
Pristella maxillaris
Caridina multidentata
Danio rerio
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Endler's Livebearer is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Gold Barb.
Poecilia reticulata
Endler's Livebearer is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Fancy Guppy.
Poecilia sphenops
Endler's Livebearer is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Molly.
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Endler's Livebearer feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed crushed flakes and micro pellets.
- Add baby brine shrimp and algae-based foods for color and health.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Males are smaller and far more colorful. Females are plainer and plumper, often pregnant.
Endler's Livebearer care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 3 fish so they feel secure.
- Keep it with very small fish only, because its size makes it easy prey.
- Check your water first. It needs hard, alkaline water to do well.
- Do not mix with fancy guppies if you want pure lines, because they will hybridize.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons.
Endler's Livebearer tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 11 US gal (41 L), 45 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Endler's Livebearer. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Endler's Livebearer, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Endler's Livebearer's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 75–86 °F (24–30 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateAny substrate
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorA planted setup and floating plants are strongly recommended.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Endler's Livebearer
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. Links marked as affiliate links may earn us a commission. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link)
We have not found a store that sells Endler's Livebearer under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Endler's Livebearer FAQ
What size tank do Endler's Livebearers need?
Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons (41 liters), with a footprint of 45 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Endler's Livebearers should I keep?
Keep at least 3 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Endler's Livebearers?
Good matches on our list include Glowlight Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio and Cherry Barb. Avoid Neon Tetra and Cardinal Tetra.
How long do Endler's Livebearers live?
Care guides report about 2–5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Are Endlers the same as guppies?
They are closely related and can interbreed, but Endlers are smaller and keep a wild, neon-flecked pattern rather than a big fancy tail.
Endler's Livebearer facts and sources
- Family
- Poeciliidae
- Native to
- Laguna de Patos, Venezuela
- Adult size
- 1 in (2.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Harem/Pairs
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Easy Livebearer
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.