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Endlers Livebearer - Poecilia wingei
The Endler's Livebearer is thought to be just a color variant of the common guppy (Poecilia reticulate), but
it is under debate whether that is true or not. They are a really nice looking livebearer that the true wild strain is almost
extinct, if not already is. The male's of this species is a fluorescent color while the females are a plain silver or grey,
but that is the true strain. It is also sometimes considered a dwarf version of the guppy since this fish gets to be only
about 1-1.5” while the guppy gets to about 2”.
Since this fish is so close to the guppy, it is kind of hard to write something original for it, but it is also different
in the fact that it comes from a different area of the world and it is a different adult size. Other then that, the breeding
of them is the same, which is the male Endler gets the female pregnant and then the female holds the embryos until they are
developed enough and then the female gives birth to fully developed young after 20-40 days. Then the fry will grow up normally
if they are given lots of protein enriched food as well as some vegetable matter, like algae wafers every couple of days.
The best food for new fry are either live baby brine shrimp, or frozen baby brine shrimp, as it is small enough for them to
eat and grow big on the food.
They prefer a tank that has a neutral pH and soft-moderately hard water. The tank should be planted, with either live
plants or fake, with the temperature 75-85°F (24-29°C). To get them to show the best colors is by having two females to every
male, and by feeding them a variety of foods, from frozen foods, to flake foods, to live foods. But make sure to only feed
them foods that will be able to fit in their small mouths. If they are given what they need for food, and what they like for
a home, they will be great fish to keep and watch as they grow and have many fry and watch the cycle of life.
The Endler is a great fish to keep as long as it is in a tank with peaceful community fish. Mostly fish that won't eat
the fins or the fish is a good rule when it comes to keeping virtually and fish. But like most fish, these fish do better
in a tank on their own, so they can breed and multiply all on their own, without any disturbance from other fish eating the
fry.
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Guppy, Fancy Guppy
A great tropical fish for freshwater aquarium fish beginners, the Guppy is a very hardy tropical fish that is also a
very prolific breeder. The male is easy to distinguish from the female because the male is usually more colorful with extremely
colorful and large caudal fins (tails). The female is usually larger, thicker bodied, with less color and a smaller cuadal
fin (tail).
They are livebearers which means that the babies are free swimming at birth. At each birth, the female can
have anywhere between 4 and 60 or more babies. If left in a community tank, the guppy fry will be quickly eaten if not secured
in a breeding net or breeder's box. Sadly, even the guppy parents will partake in the baby guppy feast.
Please be responsible and have a plan for what to do with the fry. If you're not interested in breeding them they should
do just fine when kept as all males or all females. Mix the sexes and you will most likely have babies. If knowing that the
larger fish in the tank are having a feast (as they would in the wild) on the baby guppies bothers you then only keep all
males or all females. You may sometimes see some aggression amongst the males but nothing too out of hand.
Also, keep in mind that female guppies can be pregnant when you buy them from the store. Look for the gravid spot by
the anal vent or a bulging in the belly area.
They will accept most fish food including vitamin enriched flakes, frozen, freeze dried and live foods. Try to give them
a variety of foods for optimum health and coloration. Feeding them live or frozen foods every once in a while should do wonders
for their activity levels and general well being.
Mollies, Molly Fish
The Molly is a tropical fish that prefers a little salt in their water. A teaspoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons of
water will go a long way in helping them. This is a very attractive tropical fish that comes in many different colors such
as orange, green and black. Some of the more popular varieties include the sailfin, balloon and the dalmation.
This is
a livebearing tropical fish that can be fairly easy to breed. For many aquarists the biggest problem is not getting them to
breed but stopping them from breeding. If left in a tank with other adult fish, the baby mollies will get eaten.
Mollies will eat flakes, frozen, freeze dried and definitely live foods.
Platy, Platies
Originating in Central America and a very popular tropical fish, the Platy is very easy to take care of and well suited
for the freshwater fish beginner. The Platy fish comes in many different color varieties including the salt and pepper platies,
the red wag tail and the tuxedo platy. There is even a variety called the Mickey Mouse. They can be a very active tropical
fish if given good water conditions.
The female Platy is usually larger than the males of the same age. Females can reach
a size of up to 2.5 inches whereas the males usually get to be about 1.5 inches. Breeding them is fairly easy since they are
livebearers.
Platies will accept most fish foods including flakes, frozen, live and freeze dried foods. Try to vary their diet for
optimum health and coloration.
Swordtail Fish
The Swordtail comes in many different colors with the males being easily identified by their signature "sword" tail.
This is an extremely hardy fish that can adapt to a wide range of water conditions.
They are livebearers which means that
the baby fish come out free swimming. Like their livebearer counterpart, the guppy, the swordtail is a prolific breeder and
a female will give birth about once every 28 days. If you are interested in breeding them, please check out the breeding livebearers
page for more information.
Some hobbyists have reported problems with aggression among male swordtails when keeping multiples. It may be a good
idea to limit the number of male swordtails in your tank. A good mix may be three females to one male.
They will eat most fish foods including flakes, frozen, freeze dried and live foods such as brine shrimp.
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