Endler's Livebearer

Endler’s Guppy

Poecilia wingei

Description

Endler’s livebearers, as the name suggests are live-bearing, small (mostly) freshwater fish related to and resembling guppies. They were first discovered in 1937, but are named Endler’s after Dr. John A. Endler who first collected them for the aquarium trade in 1975. They are active, hardy and very prolific. The males of this species are very colorful exhibiting yellows, oranges, reds, greens, blues, and blacks. Females are mostly grey. They can interbreed with guppies (Poecilia reticulata), and many of those found in the aquarium trade are hybrids of the two. Male Endler’s get to be about an inch (2.5 cm) long, females are larger reaching nearly twice that in length. They can live 2-3 years.

Natural Habitat

Endler’s livebearers are only known from a very small portion of northeastern Venezuela, on the Paria Peninsula. Most of those in the aquarium trade came from Laguna de los Patos (Duck Lagoon), Cumana in the state of Sucre. Originally they were found in warm (80+ degrees Fahrenheit) mineral rich waters containing a lot of algae. The Laguna de los Patos is not a single body of water but rather several marginally attached shallow mangrove estuaries. Unfortunately Laguna de los Patos is threatened by pollution and urban sprawl, and unless substantial changes are made, it is likely that Endler’s may become extinct in the wild.

Artificial Habitat

Endler’s are tropical fish, so they need water temperatures in the 75-80 degree Fahrenheit range. Although they can be kept at slightly higher temperatures, it is possible that this shortens their lifespan. Although they come from an estuarine area, they are predominantly freshwater fish. They benefit from a heavily planted, horizontally-oriented aquarium with lots of hiding spaces (cheesy aquarium ornaments are optional). Water should be gently, but well-filtered. Most of the commercially available filters designed for tropical fish tanks will work. Avoid filtration units that create strong currents as you will exhaust these (originally) estuary-dwelling fish. Endler’s will often pop out of the water, so lids are essential.

Diet

Endler’s eat most of the commercially available fish foods, as well as algae, blood worms, tubifex worms, brine shrimp, and other small invertebrates.

Caveats

Female Endler’s can be territorial, especially during breeding time (which is roughly every four weeks), so care should be taken to provide both adequate space and hiding locations.

Given the proper conditions, Endler’s are extraordinarily prolific. A small group can become several hundred in a few months. Be prepared!!