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Black Bar Endler
Poecilia wingei
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Endler's Livebearer · Black Bar
📍 Venezuela
A wild-type Endler variety distinguished by a prominent vertical black bar on the male's flank, often paired with orange or green metallic accents. Males are very small (under 1 inch) and vividly colored, making this variety a popular choice for nano tanks; keep in species or community groups.
Care Guide
Diet
Black Bar Endlers are omnivorous and thrive on high-quality micro pellets, small flake foods, and occasional live or frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Supplement with blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini occasionally to support overall health.
Behavior
These peaceful, active fish are prolific swimmers that occupy the top and middle water column, constantly foraging and displaying vibrant colors. Males are highly territorial toward each other but rarely aggressive toward other species; females are more subdued in coloration. They are best kept in groups of at least 3, preferably with more females than males to reduce aggression.
Breeding
Black Bar Endlers breed readily in captivity with minimal intervention, as they are livebearers that produce small batches of fry regularly. Provide dense vegetation (live plants like Java Moss or Rotala) for fry to hide and develop safely away from adults. Breeding is prolific in established tanks, making population control necessary; remove fry or use a breeding box if you wish to raise specific individuals.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eaters with identical water parameters and non-aggressive temperament
Compatible water requirements; small size means minimal competition, though fry may be predated upon
Similar size, peaceful nature, and water parameter overlap make them ideal nano tank companions
Comparable size and peaceful temperament; both prefer similar warm, slightly alkaline conditions
Peaceful detritivores that help maintain tank cleanliness without competing for food or space
Congeneric species with similar care requirements; can interbreed, so separate if maintaining pure lines
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid gill movement, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon) or commercial ich treatment; maintain for 10-14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove any sharp tank décor, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths if severe
Velvet Disease (Oodinium)
Fine gold or rust-colored dust on body, rapid gill movement, lethargy, loss of appetite
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use copper-free velvet treatment or salt therapy for 7-10 days
Dropsy
Bloated abdomen, scales raised or pinecone-like appearance, lethargy, loss of appetite
Isolate affected fish, improve water quality, feed high-quality foods sparingly, use antibacterial treatment; prognosis is often poor if advanced
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Varieties
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Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0–8.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)