Discovery & Introduction

Endlers Livebearers (ELB) are indigenous to the northeastern part of Venezuela, in a few coastal lagoons with very hard warm water and high concentrations of algae. They were originally discovered in the late 1930s by Franklyn F. Bond, only to be forgotten for another 40-or-so years until being “rediscovered” and then published by Dr. John Endler in 1975. Since then these cousins of the guppy have caught the eye of aquarists and have been slowly introduced into the fish hobby. Their Scientific Name is Poecilia wingei. 

Although Endlers are still rather rare in the hobby and pet shops, they are gaining popularity due to their electrifying coloring and ease of care.

Quick Stats

• Care level: Easy

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Water conditions: 64°- 82°F (78°- 80°F preferred), pH 6.5 - 8.5 (7-8 preferred)

• Maximum size: Males .75" to 1" /  Females 1" to 1.25"

• Diet: Omnivore (most types of fish food: flake, frozen, live, freeze dried, etc.)

• Lifespan: Average 2 to 3 years

• Reproduction: Easy. Gestation lasts 23 days. 1-30 fry per birth. Breeding age is 30-60 days.

• Common Names: Endlers, Endlers Livebearer (ELB), Endlers Guppy, Wild Guppy 

Classes, Strains & Grade

Class refers to a fish’s documented lineage or how pure-bred / hybridized it is. Strain refers to groupings of characteristics which breed true generation after generation. Many of the Strains noted below were found in original wild populations and some were derived from captive line breeding. Grade refers to standards individual fish can be compared against as they relate to a ”prime” or “perfect” specimen within a given Strain. Male Endlers are categorized into A, B & C Grades.  See the Details page for definitions for each Grade. 

There are three recognized Classes of Endlers and numerous Strains:

• N Class: Are documented to have originated from their native waters in Venezuela and are considered genetically "pure." This also includes all progeny from these Endlers when bred with other N Class Endlers. Strains include: Black Bar, Peacock, Red Chest, Double Red Stripe, Snake Chest, Flame Tail, Center Peacock.

• P Class: Appear to have characteristics of an N Class Endler, but whose origins and pedigree are not documented.  Strains are similar to N Class.

• K Class: Are known to have been crossbred with other live-bearing species, such as Poecilia reticulate (guppy). There are many strains.

On the rare occasion Endlers are available in pet stores, they are considered P or K Class, since usually there is no Pure Strain documentation. For more details on N Class Pure Strain documentation, additional observations between N & P Classes, and specifics on Black Bar & Peacock Strains / Grading, please see the Details page.