ENDLER'S LIVEBEARER | POECILIA WINGEI

The Endler’s Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a small, brilliantly colored freshwater fish native to the warm, clear waters of northeastern Venezuela. Closely related to the common guppy (Poecilia reticulata), the Endler’s Livebearer is smaller, more vibrant, and known for its neon-like patterns of orange, green, black, and metallic blue. Males, in particular, display dazzling colors and intricate markings, making them one of the most visually striking and active nano fish in the hobby.

Adult males reach only about 1 inch (2.5 cm), while females grow slightly larger, up to 1.5 inches (3.5 cm). Despite their small size, they are lively and social fish that bring continuous motion and sparkle to any community or species-only tank.

Ideal water parameters:
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.5–8.0
Hardness: 8–20 dGH

Tank setup: Endler’s Livebearers thrive in small to medium-sized aquariums (10 gallons or larger) with clean, well-filtered water and plenty of swimming space. They enjoy planted tanks with floating plants like Frogbit or Water Sprite and decorations that provide cover and reduce stress. Because they are livebearers, females give birth to fully formed fry every 3–4 weeks. Dense vegetation, mosses, or breeding boxes help protect fry from being eaten.

Diet: These fish are omnivores and thrive on a mix of high-quality micro-pellets or flakes, supplemented with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and micro worms. They also appreciate plant-based foods like spirulina flakes to maintain good health and bright coloration.

Temperament and tankmates: Endler’s Livebearers are peaceful, active, and social. They do well in groups and coexist perfectly with other small, gentle species such as guppies, platies, rasboras, tetras, and corydoras. Avoid larger or aggressive tankmates.

Special note: Purebred Poecilia wingei Endlers are distinct from guppy hybrids—true Endlers retain their vivid coloration, compact size, and distinctive body shape. Many aquarists breed them selectively to preserve these traits.

In summary, the Endler’s Livebearer is a colorful, energetic, and low-maintenance fish that brings life and vibrancy to any aquarium. Its small size, peaceful personality, and neon glow make it an ideal choice for nano tanks, community setups, and aquarists looking for a lively yet easy-to-care-for species.