Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei)

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Endler's Livebearer

Endler's Livebearer

Poecilia wingei

38 Litres (10 US G.)

3-5 cm (1.2-2")


1 - 1.026


7.0 - 8.0

23 -28 °C (73.4-82.4°F)

5-20 °d

1:3 M:F

Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods
Other (See article)

3-5 years



This animal is available captive bred

Additional names

Endler's Livebearer, Endler

Additional scientific names

Acanthophacelus wingei


South America: Campoma and Buena Vista Lagoons in Venezuela. Chiefly a freshwater fish but can thrive in full strength sea water if acclimated carefully.


Males are very brightly coloured, with varying patterns of orange, black, green and blue. Females are significantly larger and less streamlined than males, and are pale green/brown in colour. Aside from coloration, sex can also be determined by the presence of the gonopodium organ, a modified, enlongated anal fin used in mating that often develops before the males begin to develop color. Mature females have a dark gravid spot near their vent, like many other livebearers.


As with domesticated guppies, these fish are very easily bred. A female kept in a tank with any males is almost guaranteed to be pregnant, and they can store sperm from one mating to produce several subsequent broods without any additional contact with males. They are livebearers and give birth to small batches of live young after about 21 days of pregnancy. The young are rarely eaten by the parents and can eat powdered fry food, baby brine shrimp, or microworms immediately.

Tank compatibility

Endler's are very peaceful fishes, but their small size - especially in adult males - limits what fishes they can be placed with. Aggressive or predatory fishes (angelfish, medium/large gouramies, etc) should not be mixed with these livebearers. If spawning is the primary goal, they are best kept in a species tank. As with guppies, male endlers are constantly obsessed with reproduction and should be outnumbered by females three to one to avoid needlessly stressing the females.


Endler's are omnivores and will eat virtually anything that will fit in their mouths. As with most fishes, regular feedings of live and frozen food will result in improved color and health, though they will eagerly eat prepared food.

Feeding regime

Endlers eat constantly in the wild, and while they are not picky about the frequency of feedings they will benefit from multiple very small feedings a day.

Environment specifics

Not picky about tank conditions as long as the water is fairly hard and alkaline, but heavily planted tanks will improve fry survival rates. Prefers somewhat warmer waters that common guppies. Needs a secure lid, as they may jump.


Very similar to wild type guppies, though most endler variants are much more green than wild guppies; females and fry of the two are nearly indistinguishable. The two species will also readily hybridize in aquariums, so if a purebred colony of endlers is desired the two should not be mixed. Endlers are otherwise excellent beginner's fish, easy to breed and relatively resilient.