Species · Livebearers
Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
The guppy's smaller, flashier wild cousin — a tiny, electric-coloured, hard-water livebearer that's ideal for a nano tank. Keep pure strains away from guppies.
Difficulty: BeginnerTropical community tank✓ Fact-checked care guide
Quick facts
| Adult size | ~2.5–3 cm / 1–1.2 in (males tiny and vivid) |
|---|---|
| Minimum tank | ~20 L / 5 US gal for a small group — SeriouslyFish recommends a 45 × 30 cm base |
| Temperature | 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F (within the species range of 24–30 °C / 75–86 °F) |
| pH | 7.0–8.5 (alkaline) |
| Hardness | 15–35 dGH — a firmly hard-water fish |
| Filtration & flow | Cycled, gentle filtration |
| Diet | Omnivore — small/crushed flake plus tiny live/frozen foods |
| Social | Social — keep a small group; with mixed sexes keep 2–3 females per male |
| Temperament | Very peaceful |
| Lifespan | 2–3 years |
Overview
Endler's livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is the guppy's smaller, more electric-coloured cousin — the males a blaze of metallic green, orange and black in a body barely 3 cm long. It is peaceful, hardy and perfect for a nano tank.
It readily hybridises with guppies, so if you want to keep a pure strain, keep endlers and guppies in separate tanks.
Water & tank
Like other livebearers it is a hard-water fish — and one of the hardest-water of them (pH 7.0–8.5, 15–35 dGH), kept warm at 24–27 °C / 75–81 °F. It does poorly in soft, acidic water.
Being tiny, a small group is happy in ~20 L / 5 US gal (SeriouslyFish recommends a 45 × 30 cm base), cycled and planted.
Feeding
A tiny-mouthed omnivore — small or crushed flake, micro-pellets, and tiny live/frozen foods (baby brine shrimp, daphnia). Feed small amounts once or twice a day.
Behaviour & tankmates
Extremely peaceful and safe with other tiny, calm species and dwarf shrimp (with cover). Keep 2–3 females per male; a single-sex group avoids fry.
A prolific livebearer — a mixed group breeds fast. Keep away from guppies to preserve a pure strain.
What to expect
Constant activity and near-continuous fry from a mixed group. In a planted nano tank the population manages itself as some fry are eaten; dense planting saves more.
Myths, kindly busted
“Endlers and guppies are the same fish.”
They are related and interbreed, but Endler's is a distinct, smaller species — keep them apart to preserve pure strains.
“Nano livebearers need soft water.”
Endler's is a firmly hard-water fish (pH 7.0–8.5, high GH) — soft acidic water suits it poorly.
When to act
We triage, not diagnose — but these are worth a closer look (starting with a water test):
- A thin, hollow ember-sized fish — make sure food is small enough and it isn't out-competed.
- Clamped fins, faded colour or the shimmies — test the water and check hardness.
Sources & further reading
- SeriouslyFish — Poecilia wingei (Endler's livebearer) — Adult ~25 mm SL; recommended 45 × 30 cm base; temperature 24–30 °C / 75–86 °F; pH 7.0–8.5; hardness 15–35 dGH (very hard); very peaceful livebearer; hybridises with guppies.
Written & fact-checked by The Finfern Team against the sources above — kind, general guidance, not a diagnosis. If something looks wrong, test your water and, if it persists, contact a fish-savvy vet.
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