Endler Guppy

The Endler Guppy, often simply called Endlers, is a small, stunning livebearer closely related to the common guppy but distinct enough to be considered a separate species. Native to isolated lagoons in Venezuela, male Endlers are famous for their brilliant, metallic coloration featuring patches of neon green, orange, red, and blue. Unlike common guppies, Endlers have smaller tails and more streamlined bodies, giving them a more natural, wild appearance while maintaining spectacular colors. They are prolific breeders like their guppy cousins, but interestingly, Endler and common guppy hybrids are sterile, making pure Endlers highly sought after by collectors. Their small size, peaceful nature, and incredible coloration make them perfect for nano tanks and small community aquariums. They are active swimmers that constantly display their iridescent colors as they move throughout the water column.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Endler Guppies thrive in small planted aquariums of 10-20 gallons. Dense planting provides security for fry and adults alike, as well as reducing aggression among males. Use gentle filtration to avoid strong currents that can stress these small fish. A darker substrate helps their colors pop. Provide open swimming areas in the center while maintaining plant cover around the perimeter.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
• pH: 6.5-8.0
• Water Hardness: Moderate to hard, 5-20 dGH
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <20 ppm

Feeding

These omnivores accept small flake foods, micro pellets, and frozen or live foods. Due to their small size, offer appropriately sized food particles. Supplement with baby brine shrimp or daphnia to enhance their coloration. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily as they have fast metabolisms.

Behavior & Compatibility

Endlers are peaceful fish best kept in ratios of one male to two or three females to prevent females from being harassed. They are suitable for community tanks with other small, peaceful species. Their prolific breeding means you will likely have fry; provide dense planting for fry survival. Avoid fin nippers or fish large enough to eat them.

Tips for Success

• Maintain a ratio of 1 male to 2-3 females to prevent female stress
• Dense planting is essential for fry survival and reduces aggression
• Males display best coloration when competing for female attention
• Their small size makes them vulnerable to larger tank mates; choose companions carefully
• Regular small water changes help maintain stable parameters
• Pure Endlers are preferred over hybrids; buy from reputable breeders