Edit Poecilia wingei

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Name

Scientific name

Poecilia wingei

Described by

Authority Poeser, Kempkes & Isbrucker, Year 2005

Family

Poeciliidae

Summary

Endler's livebearer, Poecilia wingei, is a small livebearer from the Campoma and Buena Vista lagoons in northeastern Venezuela. It hybridis…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

25mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 24–30°C, pH 7–8.5

Hardness

15–35dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries

Not recorded

Supporting text

Etymology

Poecilia: from the Greek poikilo, meaning ‘variable, variegated’. wingei: honours Dr. Ojvind Winge (1886-1964) who described many colour patterns and the genet…

Distribution

Occurs in fresh waters in the Campoma and Buena Vista lagoons unto Carupano, in northeastern Venezuela.

Habitat

Laguna de Patos (the type locality for the species) was originally a brackish lake which was formed by being cut off from the ocean by a sandbar. Over time the…

Aquarium size

A tank measuring 45 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm18 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~41 litres~11 US gal is big enough to house quite a substantial colony of these.

Maintenance

A planted setup is strongly recommended as are floating plants. Water flow is not a problem for these fish as they are very active and should not be kept in aq…

Water conditions

Temperature: 24 – 30 °C75 – 86 °F pH: 7.0 - 8.5 Hardness: 15 - 35°H

Diet

An omnivorous species, feeding on a variety of zoobenthos and detritus in the wild. Will eat most foods offered but should have some vegetation in the diet.

Behaviour and compatibility

Not suitable for a general community due to their small size and should be kept alone if breeding is to be attempted. Good tankmates are other small peaceful s…

Sexual dimorphism

Males are smaller and are far more colourful than females. Females are also much plumper being almost perpetually gravid!

Reproduction

Very easy. Endler's will breed in the community tank and are incredibly prolific. To be honest breeding this species is more of a case of 'when' rather then 'h…

Notes

There has been much discussion in the past as to whether this species and P. reticulata are in fact conspecific. The two are proven to hybridise and produce fe…

There has been much discussion in the past as to whether this species and P. reticulata are in fact conspecific. The two are proven to hybridise and produce fertile offspring. However, Schories et al. (2009) determined that P. wingei is now unequivocally defined by the molecular phylogeny as a valid species. A third distinct "guppy" species, Poecilia (Acanthophacelus) obscura, is described from Trinidad (Schories et al, 2009)[1]. Schories et al. propose that the three "guppy" species be placed in the sub-genus Acanthophacelus that is considered to be generically different from all other taxa in the Poeciliinae subfamily.

Endler's Livebearer was actually discovered in 1937 by Franklyn F. Bond before being rediscovered by John Endler in 1975 in Laguna de Patos, Cumana, northeastern Venezuela. It was found coexisting, but not interbreeding with, a wild form of P. reticulata. Both species are native to this area of Venezuela, but P. reticulata was much less common in areas where P. wingei was thriving. This is thought to be partially related to habitat type, as guppies are usually found in colder, running water.

Dr. Endler reported the possibility of another collection site at a point where a certain peninsula joins the mainland. He tried to find it but the directions he was given were incorrect, so there is still the chance that this beautiful species exists in nature.

P. wingei is very close in appearance to some populations of wild guppy, although much of it's natural variability has been lost through inbreeding in the hobby. Several morphs are still available however.

Endler's are still relatively rare in the hobby though they are commonly available through dedicated breeders and are occasionally seen on sale in stores.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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References

2 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References