Bloo
~ I learn something new ~ ~~~~ every day ~~~~
Common Name(s): Endler / Endler's Livebearer
Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei
Family: Poeciliid
Origin: Venezuela
Maximum Size: Up to 3cm (1")
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons (recommended)
Care:
They are very easy to keep and will adapt to a wide range of water conditions. The temperature should ideally be around 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) with hard water. pH around 7.5
Though I myself keep them in a pH 7, gH 16, kH 11 and they certainly seem to thrive and breed.
They tend to keep the upper to mid levels of the tank and enjoy a well planted tank with plenty of cover for fry.
Also worth mentioning: Endler's orient themselves completely to the light. If you see them swimming sideways, check the light sources. Light coming in through a window will make them swim at almost 90? to the gravitational "down."
A high light tank is preferable, but not essential.
Feeding:
They will do fine on a variety of flake foods, but also enjoy microworms, grindal worms, spirulina, tubifex, and brine shrimp. Especially as live foods.
Tank mates:
Due to their size and very peaceful nature, they would do best on their own in a species tank. However can be kept with other peaceful (non-predatory) fish such as : Ancistrus, Otos, Ghost, Amano and Bamboo shrimp, Neons, Cardinals, Corys, Rasboras and Silver Hatchet fish ? to name but a few examples.
Breeding:
1 male to 2 females is an ideal ratio.
They breed very easily and on a regular basis. Young females can have broods of 1-6 on average. Mature adult females have 10-15 on average but do occasionally have more if they are larger and well fed. It takes about a month for fertilized eggs to develop enough for a female to give birth. Fry can be sexed from 5-6 weeks of age and females can breed from 2 months of age. So separate them sooner rather than later to prevent too much inbreeding.
Life Span:
Usually around 2 years in captivity.
Notes:
From John Endler himself: "Endler's Poecilia" are not the same as guppies (Poecilia reticulata). They are clearly a distinct species". However the can and will interbreed with guppies. This is generally not desired and they should therefore not be kept in the same tank.
(It also has to be said that there is however still a debate about this in many circles as to whether they are indeed a different species or sub species).
There are a few colour variations. The most common being "black bar".
These are some of mine. According the registry for Endlers, they will probably fall in class ?P? (Any fish of unknown origin but appearing to be an Endler's Livebearer based on the characteristics of size, shape and colour ).
(Please do not use my photos without my permission).
Male / Female size comparison
Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei
Family: Poeciliid
Origin: Venezuela
Maximum Size: Up to 3cm (1")
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons (recommended)
Care:
They are very easy to keep and will adapt to a wide range of water conditions. The temperature should ideally be around 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) with hard water. pH around 7.5
Though I myself keep them in a pH 7, gH 16, kH 11 and they certainly seem to thrive and breed.
They tend to keep the upper to mid levels of the tank and enjoy a well planted tank with plenty of cover for fry.
Also worth mentioning: Endler's orient themselves completely to the light. If you see them swimming sideways, check the light sources. Light coming in through a window will make them swim at almost 90? to the gravitational "down."
A high light tank is preferable, but not essential.
Feeding:
They will do fine on a variety of flake foods, but also enjoy microworms, grindal worms, spirulina, tubifex, and brine shrimp. Especially as live foods.
Tank mates:
Due to their size and very peaceful nature, they would do best on their own in a species tank. However can be kept with other peaceful (non-predatory) fish such as : Ancistrus, Otos, Ghost, Amano and Bamboo shrimp, Neons, Cardinals, Corys, Rasboras and Silver Hatchet fish ? to name but a few examples.
Breeding:
1 male to 2 females is an ideal ratio.
They breed very easily and on a regular basis. Young females can have broods of 1-6 on average. Mature adult females have 10-15 on average but do occasionally have more if they are larger and well fed. It takes about a month for fertilized eggs to develop enough for a female to give birth. Fry can be sexed from 5-6 weeks of age and females can breed from 2 months of age. So separate them sooner rather than later to prevent too much inbreeding.
Life Span:
Usually around 2 years in captivity.
Notes:
From John Endler himself: "Endler's Poecilia" are not the same as guppies (Poecilia reticulata). They are clearly a distinct species". However the can and will interbreed with guppies. This is generally not desired and they should therefore not be kept in the same tank.
(It also has to be said that there is however still a debate about this in many circles as to whether they are indeed a different species or sub species).
There are a few colour variations. The most common being "black bar".
These are some of mine. According the registry for Endlers, they will probably fall in class ?P? (Any fish of unknown origin but appearing to be an Endler's Livebearer based on the characteristics of size, shape and colour ).
(Please do not use my photos without my permission).
![Endlertwocrop.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy58%2Fbloozoo2%2FFishtank%2FEndlertwocrop.jpg&hash=3ac5f7a6738de504f956bb575e0e95ce)
Male / Female size comparison
![IMG_5637.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy58%2Fbloozoo2%2FFishtank%2FIMG_5637.jpg&hash=49c3b6ae6bf431d5c660745dcd354b20)