Livebearer that breeds continuously; it crossbreeds with guppies to give fertile young, so keep it apart from guppies to keep strains pure.
Buy 1 male and 2-3 females; keep strains pure by not mixing with guppies.
20-40 L tank with plants and a sponge filter.
No trigger needed; females give birth about monthly.
5-25 young per brood, depending on the female's age and size; new broods every 23-24 days.
Fry are born ready to eat. Feed crushed flake, baby brine shrimp and microworms several times a day. Separate fry from adults or use plants as cover. Sort by size and sex early.
One breeding tank for the endler's livebearer, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 24–28 °C · pH 7–8
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 2 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 120 cm rack for breeding the endler's livebearer in numbers.
In total: 6 tanks, about 204 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Tip: Colour and anal fin
From the checked notes: “Males are smaller and far more colourful, with a gonopodium; females are larger, plain and plumper.” Numbers sit on the part of the body each difference is about. Tap a picture to see it bigger.
Typical for livebearers
A dark 'gravid spot' grows behind the belly. Gestation is usually about 4 weeks.
Fry are born ready to swim. Thick plants or a breeding box keep them safe from adults.
Feed crushed flake, baby brine shrimp or microworms 3–5 times a day.
Males start to show color and a pointed anal fin. Separate them if you want to control lines.
Most livebearers are grown and can breed at about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
A dark 'gravid spot' grows behind the belly. Gestation is usually about 4 weeks.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.