Endler's Livebearer
Poecilia wingei
Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 2.5 cm. It needs at least 30 litres and 4 individuals, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
7 - 8.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Surface et milieu
Taille adulte
2,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 30 L
Groupe minimal
>= 4
GH
10 - 25 dGH
KH
5 - 12 dKH
TDS
200 - 495 ppm
Conductivité
313 - 773 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Poecilia wingei; the verified classification records genus Poecilia, family Poeciliidae, subfamily Poeciliinae, order Cyprinodontiformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Endler's Livebearer should be kept with more females than males so courtship pressure is distributed. The minimum reference is 4 individuals; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Endler's Livebearer needs an aquarium of at least 30 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of 4 individuals. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 22–28 °C, pH 7–8.5. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally active temperament. Keep at least 4 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origine et répartition géographiques
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origine
Amérique du Sud hors Amazonie
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Active
- Endler's Livebearer has a generally active temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- They are omnivorous and thrive on a varied diet to maintain optimal health. High-quality flake foods or micro-pellets should form the staple of their daily feeding. Supplementing their diet with live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms is highly recommended. Including vegetable matter such as spirulina will also benefit their digestive system. A balanced and varied diet enhances their immune system and brings out their best colors.
- Espérance de vie
- 2-3 years
- Taille adulte
- 2.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Specific M:F ratio
- Endler's Livebearer should be kept with more females than males so courtship pressure is distributed. The reference minimum is 4 individuals and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- It is optimal to feed them small amounts multiple times a day, ideally two to three times. This frequent feeding mimics their natural foraging behavior in the wild. Ensure that only an amount they can consume within a couple of minutes is provided to prevent overfeeding. Leftover food can rapidly degrade water quality and lead to health issues. Adjusting the feeding frequency based on the fish's activity levels and age is a good practice.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- They produce a relatively low bioload compared to larger aquarium fish. This makes them suitable for smaller aquariums if maintained properly. However, their prolific breeding can quickly increase the total bioload of the tank. Regular water changes and good filtration are essential to maintain water quality. Monitoring nitrate levels is important to ensure the bioload is being effectively managed.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They typically prefer gentle to moderate water movement within the aquarium. Strong currents can be exhausting for them, especially for males with large, flowing fins. A sponge filter or a well-baffled hang-on-back filter often provides the ideal flow rate. Providing areas of both slight movement and still water allows them to rest when needed. An appropriate flow rate also ensures adequate oxygenation without causing undue stress to the fish.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- There is a moderate risk of jumping, particularly when they are startled or chased. They might also attempt to jump if the water parameters are poor and they are seeking better conditions. Using a tight-fitting lid or a secure cover is highly recommended to prevent accidental escapes. Floating plants can also help deter them from approaching the surface too enthusiastically. Regular monitoring of the tank's perimeter can help ensure no fish has managed to leap out.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- As livebearers, they are exceptionally easy to breed and will often multiply without any special intervention. Females can store sperm for several months, resulting in multiple drops of fry from a single mating. The gestation period typically lasts around three to four weeks, depending on water temperature. To ensure the survival of the fry, providing plenty of hiding spaces like dense vegetation or breeding grass is essential. Adults may predate on their own young, so a separate breeding tank might be necessary for maximum yield.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- The cohabitation profile is suitable for a compatible community, with a generally active temperament. Keep at least 4 individuals; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top/Middle
- They are extremely active and will utilize all levels of the aquarium. However, they show a strong preference for the middle and upper levels of the water column. They are frequently seen swimming near the surface, especially during feeding times. Providing open swimming space in the upper regions alongside some floating cover makes them feel secure. Their presence in the upper layers adds vibrant movement and life to the top portion of the tank.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,9 ± 0,3 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01288, b = 3.14
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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