What tank size does a Endler's Livebearer need?

A Endler's Livebearer needs an aquarium of at least 30 litres (7.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Endler's Livebearer need?

Endler's Livebearer does best at 22–29 °C (71.6–84.2 °F), pH 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 10–30 °dGH.

What group size does a Endler's Livebearer need?

Endler's Livebearer is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Endler's Livebearer suitable for beginners?

Yes — Endler's Livebearer is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Species library

Endler's Livebearer

Poecilia wingei

Poeciliidae

FishDifficulty: ●○○○○Data: well-established

📷 Dgrummon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

Endler's Livebearer — Poecilia wingei — 📷 Dgrummon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

Endler's livebearer is a diminutive, jewel-coloured relative of the common guppy, originally collected from the Paria Peninsula and Laguna de Patos region of Venezuela. Wild-type males are electric with metallic green, orange and black markings and, unlike fancy guppies, retain a small, non-trailing tail. Females are plain and slightly larger. Peaceful, active and undemanding, Endlers thrive in hard water and breed continuously, making them ideal for nano and planted community aquariums. Pure strains readily hybridise with guppies, so keep them separate to preserve bloodlines.

Care

Keep 6+ in hard, alkaline water 22-29°C. Peaceful nano fish; feed small foods and expect constant breeding. House apart from guppies to avoid hybridising.

Diet

Omnivore with a tiny gape; crushed flake, micro-pellet, baby brine shrimp and biofilm.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

The gonopodiumDefinitive · from about 4 weeks old
Look at the anal fin, underneath and just behind the belly. In females it stays a broad triangular fan. In males it narrows into a rod and angles forward — that rod is the gonopodium, a rebuilt fin rather than an organ that appears from nowhere.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Fish for a 30 litre tank Fish for a 54 litre tank Shrimp-safe fish Fish for hard water

Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Endler's Livebearer need?: A Endler's Livebearer needs an aquarium of at least 30 litres (7.9 US gallons) with a footprint at least 45 cm (17.7 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Endler's Livebearer need?: Endler's Livebearer does best at 22–29 °C (71.6–84.2 °F), pH 7–8.5 and a general hardness of 10–30 °dGH.
What group size does a Endler's Livebearer need?: Endler's Livebearer is a social species — keep a group of at least 6 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Endler's Livebearer suitable for beginners?: Yes — Endler's Livebearer is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature22–29°C

Optimal temp.24–27°C

pH7–8.5

Hardness (GH)10–30°d

Carbonate (KH)6–18°d

Adult size4.5 cm

Min. volume≥ 30 L

Min. tank length≥ 45 cm

Group size≥ 6

Swimming zoneTop

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeBrackish-tolerant

FlowLow

Lifespan~2 yrs

Try in the calculator