Endler's Livebearer
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Wild relative of the domesticated, longfinned guppies.
[edit] Overview
Here is a wild cousin to the guppy, a much less ornate fish than its flamboyantly finned domestic relatives. Easy to keep, interesting and of interest to a growing number of aquarists. Wild populations are located in northeastern Venezuela. See Guppy for comparison.
Family: Poeciliidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: Guppies and their wild cousins prefer a well-lighted tank densely planted on the sides and back. Long tanks are best, as they need lots of room to swim. Give them a little water movement—an inside box filter instead of a power filter works well.
Maximum length: 5 cm (2 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)
Lighting: Bright for plant growth.
Water: Freshwater 22 °C (295 K, 72 °F) - 26 °C (299 K, 79 °F)
General swimming level: Midwater to top.
[edit] Feeding
Omnivore. Not picky eaters. Feed several times per day.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Schooling fish, best kept in groups of one male and several females. Combine with other active schooling species or keep in a species tank.
[edit] Special Care
To ensure purity of the primitive type, do not mix with domesticated guppies. They will interbreed without hesitation.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Livebearers that give birth to fully formed babies. (Endler's Livebearer will cross-breed with guppies and should be kept separate.)
Parents will eat their young and pregnant females should be moved to breeding traps or tanks with Java moss or other fine-leaved plants such as Camboba. One mating allows a female to produce multiple broods of young over a period of months.
[edit] Notes
Known fin nippers like the Tiger Barb may be too tempted by their finnage and should be avoided.
| Common name | Endler's Livebearer + |
| Family | Poeciliidae + |
| Genus | Poecilia + |
| Image credit | AN + |
| Lighting | Bright for plant growth. + |
| Maximum length | 2 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 20 gal + |
| Native range | South America +, and Venezuela + |
| Reference | 101 Best Tropical Fishes + |
| Specific name | sp. + |
| Swimming level | Midwater to top. + |
| Text credit | KW + |
| Water max temp | 299 K (26 °C, 79 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 295 K (22 °C, 72 °F) + |
| Water type | Freshwater + |