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Red Chest Endler
Poecilia wingei
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii
Variety of Endler's Livebearer · Red Chest
📍 Venezuela
An Endler variety distinguished by a vivid red-orange chest and belly region on males, contrasting with metallic green or black body markings. Easy to keep and breed in nano tanks, males stay under 1 inch, and the bright chest coloration makes it one of the more striking Endler varieties available to hobbyists.
Care Guide
Diet
Red Chest 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, 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 spend most of their time in the upper water column, constantly foraging and displaying their vibrant red chest coloration. Males are slightly more aggressive toward each other during breeding season but remain non-aggressive toward other species. They are social fish that do best in small groups and exhibit natural schooling behavior.
Breeding
Red Chest Endlers breed readily in captivity and are excellent for beginners interested in fish breeding. Females produce live fry continuously in established tanks with adequate vegetation and stable conditions; no special breeding setup is required. Fry are large enough to eat crushed flakes immediately, making them easier to rear than many other livebearers.
Tank Mates
Same genus with compatible water parameters and peaceful temperament; may hybridize if housed together
Closely related Endler variety with identical care requirements and peaceful behavior
Peaceful algae eater that won't compete for food and helps maintain tank cleanliness
Compatible water parameters; shrimp may occasionally eat fry if present, but adults coexist peacefully
Provides essential cover for fry and creates natural habitat structure that Endlers prefer
Similar size and water needs but may hybridize with Endlers; keep separate if pure genetics desired
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, flashing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove any sharp decorations, treat with antibacterial medication if severe
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, scratching behavior
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28-30°C, perform daily water changes, use copper-free velvet treatment as directed
Dropsy
Bloated appearance, scales standing out, lethargy, loss of appetite
Isolate affected fish, improve water quality, feed high-quality foods, use antibacterial treatment; prognosis is often poor
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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)