Royal Blue Endler (Poecilia wingei)

The Royal Blue Endler (Poecilia wingei) is a living jewel for the nano aquarium. Males flash an electric metallic blue down the body with bursts of orange and green that catch the light as they dart through the plants, while females stay a little larger and more subdued. Hardy, peaceful, and always on the move, it is one of the easiest and most rewarding livebearers you can keep, equally at home with a first-time fishkeeper or a seasoned planted-tank enthusiast.

Pair them with the rest of our freshwater community fish and freshwater invertebrates to build a colorful, active display.

Care Guide

Royal Blue Endlers are forgiving and adaptable, which is exactly what makes them such a great first livebearer. They thrive in a stable, well-cycled tank with gentle flow and plenty of plant cover.

• Tank size: A 10 gallon aquarium is a comfortable minimum for a small colony. Their tiny adult size makes them ideal for nano and planted setups.
• Water parameters: Keep the temperature between 72 and 78°F with a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. Like guppies, endlers prefer moderately hard, alkaline water, so they settle in easily in most local tap water.
• Aquascape: They feel safest among live plants. Floating plants and dense moss give fry somewhere to hide and help the colony color up.
• Filtration and lid: A gentle sponge filter is ideal, especially once fry arrive, since it will not pull them into the intake. Keep a lid on the tank, as startled endlers can flick out of an open top.
• Groups: Keep them in a group of six or more. If you want to breed, aim for two to three females per male so the males' attention is spread out.
• Diet: Feed a varied diet of high-quality tropical flake, crushed micro pellets, and the occasional frozen treat such as baby brine shrimp or daphnia.

Specifications

Tank Mates & Compatibility

Peaceful and far too small to bother anyone, Royal Blue Endlers make outstanding community and nano-tank residents. Good companions include:

• Other endler strains like the Blue Red Star and Red & Black Tiger Endler
• Small, gentle fish such as ember tetras, chili and harlequin rasboras, pygmy corydoras, and otocinclus
• Neocaridina shrimp like Yellow Fire and Rili Red
• Nerite snails for algae cleanup that will not overpopulate in freshwater

Avoid large or aggressive fish, known fin-nippers, and anything big enough to see a one-inch endler as a snack, such as larger cichlids, angelfish, or adult bettas.

Breeder's note: Endlers interbreed readily with guppies and other Poecilia. They live together happily, but if you want to keep your Royal Blue Endler line pure, house them away from guppies and other endler strains.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Seachem NutriDiet Tropical Flakes, an easy daily staple sized for small mouths
• Seachem NutriDiet Shrimp Flakes for protein-rich variety, perfect if you keep shrimp too
• Java Moss, dense cover that doubles as a fry refuge and grazing surface
• Red Root Floater, floating cover that livebearers love
• Browse our full range of freshwater shrimp and snails for a peaceful cleanup crew

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Royal Blue Endlers good for beginners?
Absolutely. They are hardy, adaptable to a wide range of water conditions, and stay small, which makes them one of the best first livebearers for a community or nano tank.

Will they breed in my aquarium?
Yes. Endlers are prolific livebearers and will reproduce readily in a planted tank with no special effort. Add moss or floating plants so the fry have cover, and keep two to three females per male for a calm, balanced colony.

Can I keep them with guppies?
They get along just fine, but endlers and guppies will interbreed. If you want to keep your Royal Blue Endler line pure, house them separately from guppies and other endler strains.

Do they need a heater?
In most homes, yes. Endlers are tropical and do best between 72 and 78°F, so a small adjustable heater keeps them comfortable and colorful year-round.