Red Mickey Platy ( Xiphophorus maculatus )

Tiny, vivid, and endlessly active — the Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a stunning nano fish from Venezuela that has taken the aquarium hobby by storm. Often described as a miniature guppy on overdrive, male Endlers display an extraordinary array of vivid colours — neon greens, oranges, blacks, and blues — packed into a body barely an inch long. Hardy, peaceful, and prolific, Endlers are a joy to keep and breed.

Overview

Appearance

Male Endlers are among the most colourful fish in the hobby relative to their size. Their small, streamlined bodies display vivid patches of neon green, orange, black, and metallic blue in bold, graphic patterns that vary between individuals and strains. Females are larger, silver-olive in colour, and less ornate but still attractive. Under good aquarium lighting, males shimmer and flash with an almost iridescent intensity that is truly remarkable for such a tiny fish.

Water Parameters & Tank Setup

• Temperature: 72 – 82°F (22 – 28°C)
• pH: 7.0 – 8.5
• General Hardness (GH): 10 – 25 dGH
• Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons for a small group; 10+ gallons ideal
• Lighting: Moderate — brings out their vivid colours
• Substrate: Dark substrate enhances their neon colouration
• Plants & Decor: Planted tanks with floating plants for fry cover; they love dense vegetation

Diet & Feeding

• Staple: High-quality micro pellets or nano fish flakes
• Treats: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, micro worms, and blanched vegetables

Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Peaceful and well-suited to nano and community tanks. Good tank mates include other small livebearers, nano tetras, small rasboras, Neocaridina shrimp, and small snails. Avoid any fish large enough to eat them.

Breeding

Endlers are livebearers and breed very readily — females give birth to small batches of live fry every 3–4 weeks. Floating plants and dense vegetation provide cover for fry. Fry are tiny but robust and can be fed crushed flake food or baby brine shrimp from birth.

The Endler's Livebearer is a nano aquarium superstar — impossibly colourful, endlessly active, and incredibly easy to keep. Add a group to your planted tank and enjoy one of the hobby's most vibrant and rewarding small fish.