SANTA MARIA BLEEDING HEART ENDLER | POECILIA WINGEI

The Santa Maria Bleeding Heart Endler (Poecilia wingei) is a striking and compact livebearer known for its fiery red coloration and metallic sheen. This selectively bred strain of Endler’s Livebearer features a brilliant, blood-red patch running from the belly through the midsection—resembling a “bleeding heart”—set against a shimmering silver or blue body. The contrasting colors and constant movement make this tiny fish one of the most eye-catching nano species in the aquarium hobby.

Adult males reach about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and display intense red and blue hues, while females grow slightly larger, up to 1.5 inches (3.5 cm), with softer coloration. Despite their small size, Santa Maria Endlers are active, social fish that bring vibrant energy to any tank.

Ideal water parameters:
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 6.8–8.0
Hardness: 8–20 dGH

Tank setup: These Endlers thrive in planted aquariums with clean, stable water and gentle filtration. A 10-gallon or larger tank is ideal for a small group. Provide open swimming space along with floating and rooted plants such as Java Moss, Hornwort, or Water Sprite for cover and fry protection. Because they are livebearers, females can produce fry every 3–4 weeks—dense vegetation helps increase fry survival.

Diet: Santa Maria Bleeding Heart Endlers are omnivores with hearty appetites. Feed them high-quality flakes or micro-pellets, along with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Supplement their diet with spirulina or vegetable-based foods to enhance their coloration and health.

Temperament and tankmates: These fish are peaceful, curious, and active swimmers. They thrive in groups and coexist well with other small, non-aggressive species like guppies, platies, rasboras, tetras, and corydoras. Avoid larger or aggressive fish that might outcompete or harass them.

In summary, the Santa Maria Bleeding Heart Endler is a dazzling and energetic livebearer that adds a burst of red and metallic shine to any freshwater aquarium. Hardy, easy to breed, and full of personality, this nano fish is perfect for aquarists seeking vivid color and constant motion in a peaceful community or species-only tank.