Endler's Livebearer Black Bar Male

Poecilia wingei 'Black Bar' represents the closest captive form to the wild population discovered by John Endler at Laguna de Patos in Venezuela. Males are tiny, reaching just 2–2.5 cm, but pack extraordinary colour into their miniature frame — a bold black vertical bar bisects a metallic green and orange body.

Endler's livebearers are more active and arguably more intensely coloured than fancy guppies, and males display almost continuously. They are excellent for heavily planted nano aquariums and will breed readily, though their tiny fry require appropriately sized food.

Pure wild-type strains should ideally not be crossed with common guppies, as hybridisation erodes the distinct Endler's characteristics.

Water: 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, hard water preferred; tolerates a range of conditions. Tank: 30–40 L nano tank; dense planting essential for fry; sponge filter recommended. Feeding: Nano flake, crushed pellet, baby brine shrimp, and micro worms. Breeding: Extremely prolific; fry are tiny but robust; floating plants provide refuge. Compatibility: Species tank or with very small, peaceful nano fish; do not mix with fancy guppies if maintaining pure lines.