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Laguna de Patos Endler
Poecilia wingei
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Endler's Livebearer · Laguna de Patos
📍 South America (Venezuela)
A pure wild-type Endler strain collected from the Laguna de Patos in Venezuela, typically showing a subtle but distinct pattern of orange and black markings with a metallic green sheen — one of the original wild populations. This strain is valued among Endler purists for its genetic authenticity and does well in hard, alkaline water in a nano or species tank.
Care Guide
Diet
Laguna de Patos Endlers are omnivorous and thrive on high-quality micro pellets, small flake foods, and occasional live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Supplement with vegetable matter like blanched spinach or spirulina-based foods to support their natural diet.
Behavior
These fish are peaceful, active swimmers that spend most of their time in the upper water column, darting between plants and décor. Males display vibrant coloration and may chase females, but aggression is minimal compared to other livebearers. They are social and do best in groups of at least 3, preferably with a higher female-to-male ratio to reduce harassment.
Breeding
Laguna de Patos Endlers breed readily in captivity if water conditions are stable and plants are abundant for fry to hide. Females are livebearers and produce small broods of 5-15 fry every 3-4 weeks; fry are relatively large and hardy compared to other fish. Breeding is not difficult, but maintaining genetic purity of this wild-type strain requires careful selection and isolation from other Endler varieties.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eater that shares similar water parameters and does not compete with Endlers
Peaceful invertebrate that helps with algae control and thrives in hard, alkaline water
Compatible with Endlers in planted tanks, though fry may be predated upon; prefers similar water hardness
Similar size and peaceful temperament; shares preference for top water column and hard water
Hardy plant that provides shelter and fry refugium without competing for nutrients
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against décor
Raise temperature to 82°F (28°C) and treat with aquarium salt or commercial ich medication; perform daily water changes
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove decaying plants, and treat with antibacterial medication if severe
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, clamped fins, scratching behavior
Reduce light exposure, raise temperature to 80-82°F (26-28°C), and treat with copper-based medication or salt; quarantine affected fish
Dropsy
Bloated abdomen, raised scales, lethargy, loss of appetite
Isolate affected fish, improve water quality, and provide high-quality food; treatment is difficult and often unsuccessful
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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)