Bring bold, high-contrast coloration and non-stop movement to your planted setup with the Red and Black Tiger Endler. Renowned for its electric iridescent orange-red body accented by dark, zebra-like tiger stripes and metallic sheen, this selectively bred strain is among the most sought-after nano livebearers in the aquarium hobby. Whether you are stocking a dedicated biotope nano tank or adding color to a peaceful community aquarium, these active, hardy fish make an instant visual impact.

Quick Stats

• Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei var.

• Adult Size: Males 0.8–1.0 inches (2–2.5 cm); Females up to 1.5–1.8 inches (4–4.5 cm)

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons

• Water Temperature: 72°F – 82°F (22°C – 28°C)

• pH Range: 7.0 – 8.5

• Water Hardness: 10 – 25 dGH (Moderately hard to hard)

• Temperament: Peaceful, active schooling/shoaling nano fish

• Diet: Omnivore

Origin

Wild Endler's Livebearers trace their origins to coastal warm-water lagoons and streams in northeastern Venezuela,particularly the Campoma and Cumana regions. The striking Red and Black Tiger strain is the product of dedicated captive line breeding, enhancing the vivid red base pigments alongside dark vertical tiger bars and intricate caudal fin patterning.

Care & Water Parameters

Red and Black Tiger Endlers are exceptionally hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for both beginner fishkeepers and experienced aquascapers. They thrive in clean, well-oxygenated water with moderate to hard mineral content and a neutral to alkaline pH. Regular weekly water changes of 20% to 25% are recommended to keep nitrates low and preserve their vibrant coloration and active fin displays.

Tank Size & Aquarium Setup

A minimum tank size of 10 gallons is ideal for maintaining a small breeding group or a vibrant male-only bachelor school. Endlers prefer setups with plenty of live aquatic plants—such as Anubias, Java Fern, Cryptocoryne, and floating plants like Hornwort or Salvinia—which provide swimming channels, natural foraging grazing surfaces, and shelter. Because they are top-to-midwater swimmers and agile jumpers, a secure aquarium lid or cover is recommended. Use gentle to moderate water flow, as strong currents can overwhelm their small frames; sponge filters or baffled hang-on-back filters are optimal.

Diet & Feeding

As opportunistic omnivores with small, upturned mouths, Red and Black Tiger Endlers benefit from a varied diet scaled to their size. Feed them high-quality micro-pellets, crushed spirulina flakes, and finely ground freeze-dried foods daily. Supplement their routine 2–3 times per week with nutrient-dense live or frozen foods, such as baby brine shrimp (Artemia), daphnia, and micro-worms, to maximize color expression and reproductive health.

Compatible Tank Mates

Due to their peaceful, social demeanor and compact size, Red and Black Tiger Endlers do best alongside small, non-aggressive species. Ideal tank companions include:

• Nano Schooling Fish: Chili Rasboras, Celestial Pearl Danios (CPDs), Neon or Ember Tetras.

• Bottom Dwellers: Pygmy Corydoras, Reticulated Hillstream Loaches, Otocinclus Catfish.

• Invertebrates: Neocaridina shrimp (in heavily planted tanks), Amano shrimp, Mystery snails, and Nerite snails.

Avoid housing them with fin-nippers, large aggressive cichlids, or fish with mouths large enough to swallow nano livebearers.

Breeding

Like all Poecilia species, Red and Black Tiger Endlers are prolific livebearers. Females give birth to live, free-swimming fry every 24 to 30 days after a short gestation period. Unlike standard fancy guppies, Endler parents exhibit minimal fry predation, especially when the aquarium includes dense cover such as Java Moss, Guppy Grass, or floating roots. For community breeding, maintain a ratio of 1 male to 2–3 females to prevent males from exhausting individual females.