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Endler's Livebearer

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Poecilia wingei

Complete Endler's Livebearer care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 5 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Endler's Livebearer

Quick Answer

Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. It requires a minimum 5 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the top zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a captivating and highly sought-after freshwater species. Known for their peaceful nature and distinct appearance, they occupy the top levels of the aquarium and bring dynamic energy to any setup.

Setup

Endler's Livebearer requires a stable, well-filtered aquarium of at least 5 gallons. They thrive best with moderate water movement and a reliable heater to maintain temperatures around 22-26°C. Ensure pH levels remain consistent between 6.5 - 7.5 to prevent stress and support long-term health.

Feeding

As a omnivore, the Endler's Livebearer is not a picky eater. They should be fed a high-quality base of flakes, sinking pellets, or wafers. Periodic supplementation with frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms or brine shrimp, will boost their health and colors.

Compatibility

Endler's Livebearer has a peaceful temperament. They are compatible with other fish of similar sizes and temperaments. Avoid placing them with aggressive species or tankmates they are listed as incompatible with, such as: betta.

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Tank Position
Top
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Endler's Livebearers should be kept together?
Maintain a group of 6 to 10 individuals in a tank of at least 10 gallons (38 liters) with a footprint of 20x10 inches (50x25 cm). Endler's livebearers (Poecilia wingei) are active shoalers; groups under 5 cause stress and reduced breeding. Maintain a ratio of 2-3 females per male to ensure females are not over-stressed by continuous male courting behaviors. For a male-only display, keep 6-8 males. Provide dense planting (Java moss, Hornwort) and open swimming areas. Tank length should exceed 20 inches (50 cm) for their darting behavior.
What are the exact water parameters for Endler's Livebearers?
Target pH 7.0 - 8.0, General Hardness 8 - 15 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 6 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 150 - 350 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 300 - 700 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 80°F (22°C - 27°C). They prefer hard, alkaline water; soft water (dGH <4) causes clamped fins and reduced breeding. Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a sponge or HOB filter with moderate flow. Add crushed coral to increase hardness if needed. Sudden temperature drops >3°F (1.5°C) cause stress. Avoid pH below 6.5.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Endler's Livebearers?
They are omnivores that graze on biofilm, requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, and spirulina powder twice daily. Supplement with blanched spinach and nori sheets. They accept most commercial foods. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) and formalin well. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are hardy but can carry camallanus worms; treat with levamisole (2 mg/L).
How to breed Endler's Livebearers with step-by-step triggers?
No special triggers needed; they breed prolifically. To maximize breeding, condition with live baby brine shrimp and spirulina flakes. Maintain temperature at 78°F (25.5°C), pH 7.5, and provide dense java moss for fry to hide. Females give birth to 10-30 live fry every 23-28 days after a 4-week gestation. Fry are 0.2 inches (5 mm) and accept crushed flakes and baby brine shrimp immediately. Remove adults to prevent cannibalism, or provide dense moss for fry survival. Separate males and females to control population. Cull deformed fry to maintain genetic health.

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