Endlers

[Alexp08]

I have a tank that i am thinking about converting to endlers. Ive seen alot of conflicting info on endlers, hard vs soft, low vs high ph. Basically my tank is currently at 7kh and 9gh. Ph is about 8. Is this suitable for endlers? 

 

[Alasse]

My endler are in PH8 and breeding like bunnies......they will deal easily with wide parameters i've found

 

[fluttermoth]

Like most livebearers, they do do best in harder, more alkaline waters, but I keep them in soft water and they're fine. I do keep some shells in the tank, and do more frequent but smaller water changes, so the pH/hardness doesn't drop too much.

They're a pretty adaptable fish

 

[Ch4rlie]

I too, keep endlers, keep a small group of 6 in a tank ph of around 7.6 but tap water has a ph of  8.0.
 
No problems at all and they are lively little fish

 

[Alexp08]

Yea i keep hearing that they are very hardy fish. However im not trying to stress them out due to poor water conditions 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Yea i keep hearing that they are very hardy fish. However im not trying to stress them out due to poor water conditions 

 
Poor water conditions?
 
Do you have poor water conditions in the tank?
 
A little confused....

 

[attibones]

I think OP means unsuitable parameters, Charlie.

 

[Alexp08]

Yes sorry I meant water parameters

 

[Byron]

The pH is fine, and the GH at 9 (which I assume is 9 dGH or 161 ppm) is probably not going to be too problematical.  Moderately hard water with a range of 10-35 dGH is the usual suggestion, though Seriously Fish has 15-35 dGH.  You should not attempt to keep them in soft or acidic water.  
 
They are endemic to Campoma and Buena Vistahttp://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...450&type=2&ext=400571733378&item=400571733378 coastal lagoons in northeast Venezuela. The source for the type specimens is a warm freshwater lake with hard, alkaline water on the Paria Peninsula.  This species is not as "adaptable" as its cousin the guppy.
 
As you only intend Endlers, it is easy to up the GH a tad and then ensure you are providing the best environment which is a better goal for healthy fish.  An addition of aragonite sand in the substrate, or the filter, is the simplest way to achieve this.  
 
Byron.

 

[Alexp08]

Well ive been using coral rocks. They are detect sizes, it has risen the gh about 3 points. And yes its dgh. Will that sand raise the ph any higher?

 

[Byron]

Well ive been using coral rocks. They are detect sizes, it has risen the gh about 3 points. And yes its dgh. Will that sand raise the ph any higher?

 
Possibly; it is difficult to predict because of the other factors that all contribute.  Coral slowly dissolves in a very similar manner and adds calcium.  These fish's system is designed to remove the essential minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water that continually passes into their body via osmosis through the cells.  This is how fish "drink," if you like, and they rely on this water to provide the minerals that are essential for their homeostasis to function properly.

 

[Alexp08]

So get my water a bit harder and im good to go?

 

[Alasse]

I keep them in rainwater also, which is classed as soft. They behave and breed exactly the same between the tanks.....
 
Wild caught or close to endlers would require specific parameters. But most endlers now are tank bred many generations, with that comes far more adaptability.

 

[Byron]

So get my water a bit harder and im good to go?

I would, as it is so easy here with a small tank and only these fish.  You've nothing to risk, or lose.
 
Byron.

 

[fluttermoth]

But most endlers now are tank bred many generations, with that comes far more adaptability.

I agree. Also, all trade Endlers will actually be Endler/guppy hybrids (I was told this by John Endler himself, a few years ago). If you want true Endlers, you need to find a specialist breeder.

Luckily, raising harness and pH is fairly simple; it's lowering it that's really difficult. I just keep a few shells in the tank, and a bit of coral sand in the filter, to stop the pH crashing (I have really very soft water where I live).