In this article, we will see if it is possible to breed bettas with endlers, the best conditions for both species and how to solve possible problems in the keeping of these fish. Both species have particular beauties that can make a great look.
Betta Fish
Bettas have a reputation for being aggressive, which makes them tough to get along with. They are solitary fish that will try to drive away most other fish. As a result, Betta fish, particularly the males, are frequently advised to be kept alone.
Bettas, on the other hand, can get along with particular tankmates. This, however, does not always work out. Some Betta Fish will go after everything that moves. Some are more gentle and get along great with fish that aren’t obviously male Bettas.
Male betta fish can be quite aggressive and will not tolerate any other companionship. As a result, when introducing another species to new tank mates like Endlers, it’s critical to keep a close eye on his behaviour. You must have a backup plan in case of an emergency.
Endlers
Endler (poecilia wingei) are a stunning freshwater species that will capture your attention regardless of the circumstances. They’re also rather simple to care for, making them a popular choice for aquarists of all skill levels. Learn the principles of Endler’s livebearer care by reading this blog.
If you’re seeking for a semi-rare freshwater fish that’s also easy to care for, the Endler’s livebearer is a good option. These fish, scientifically known as poecilia wingei, are so beautiful that fishkeepers have established a grading system to evaluate their genetic purity.
Endler’s livebearers, interestingly, belong to the Poecilia genus, which also includes mollies and guppies. The fish is genetically identical to an ordinary guppy. For conservation purposes, though, it was given its own scientific name. Endler’s livebearers are only found in the Venezuelan Laguna de Patos.
Appearance of Endler Fish
The Endler’s livebearer cannot be confused with another species. They do resemble guppies in appearance and size. Endler’s guppies are another name for them. However, the vivid colours displayed by these fish are unmistakable. This is why many aquarists are attracted to this species and its way of life.
Endlers have translucent fins with colour splashes. Because of the translucent base, the fins appear to have an unusual form. Males are the most vibrantly colored of the species. Some fish have vivid green, orange, yellow, red, blue, and other colours.
There are many distinct hue strains available. Some examples are:
- White Peacock
- Yellow Tiger
- Emerald
- Sunburst Cobra
- Snake Chest
- Peacock Flame
- Tail Red Stripe
As already stated, poecilia wingei is frequently classified. Because these fish frequently reproduce with regular guppies, the categorization system is intended to offer you additional information about a fish’s genetics.
Can Endlers Livebearers Coexist with Bettas?
If you’ve never seen Endler’s livebearers before, you could be forgiven for mistaking them for ordinary guppies. These beautifully colored tiny fishes are members of the guppy family and may grow to be one inch long for males and two inches long for females. They have a three-year lifetime, like other tiny tropical fish species.
Male Endler’s are brightly colored and come in a huge variety of different neon and metallic shades, ranging from red and yellow to blue and orange, purple, turquoise, and gold. They don’t have the same kind of floating finnage as their guppy cousins, so they don’t grab the attention in the same way.
Unless you have a Plakat with little finnage, your betta will have long, flowing finnage. Although this is the major reason why people keep bettas, those magnificent fins and tail do indicate that the betta fish is not meant for speed and is normally a very sluggish swimmer.
Endler’s livebearers, on the other hand, are lightning fast, flying around the tank in a dazzling swirl of activity from dawn to night. Even if your betta was bothered by his brilliantly colored tankmates, he would be unable to approach the Endlers and harm them.
How To Maintain A Betta With Endlers Livebearers
There are a few things you can take to ensure that bettas live happily with endlers livebearers. Again, while your betta’s temperament will be the most important issue, it doesn’t mean you can’t. Here are some of the finest things you can do to help your betta and endlers livebearers get along.
When bettas are in a tank for a time and new additions are introduced, they often become more aggressive. They believe the tank is their domain, and any other fish is an intruder. One method to prevent this from happening is to first introduce livebearers.
Tank Setup for Betta Fish and Endlers
If you intend to maintain endlers livebearers with bettas, tank setting is critical. It will not only make all fish safer, but it will also make them feel more at ease. Fortunately, both fish want a similar environment, so you won’t have to make any significant adjustments to your tank.
First, plant life is quite important. Bettas and endlers both like a wide variety of plants. They provide plenty of hiding spots, making them feel protected. If you’re going to add plants, choose plants with little leaves that can reach the water’s surface. If you’re not sure what plants to acquire, anacharis and hornwort are good options.
Endlers, on the other hand, are fond of plants that float on the water’s surface. Your betta will enjoy these as well, although not as much as endlers! However, you should be mindful that these floating plants make an excellent hiding spot for fry. If you want your betta to eat them completely, you should avoid giving them to him.
Water Parameters
Bettas and endlers require relatively similar requirements to survive. Endlers like a pH level of 6.7 – 8.5 and a temperature range of 72-82°F, whilst bettas prefer a temperature range of 78°F. Bettas can only live in tanks of 5 gallons or larger, therefore if you’re putting them in a 10 gallon tank, make it at least 10 gallons.
Despite the fact that neither species is very unclean, you need to have a good filtration system in the tank to keep the water clean. Betta fish and livebearers are both poor swimmers, so set your pump to a moderate to slow flow rate to avoid buffeting the fish about by the current, which would stress them.
Feeding Bettas and Endlers Livebearers
Bettas and Endler’s have quite different feeding needs. Both species are omnivores, although bettas need much more meat in their diet than plant matter.However, if you give your betta live or frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, or mosquito larvae, the Endler’s will eat these as well.
So, your betta is a surface feeder, and his main diet should consist of floating betta pellets and the meaty meals indicated above. Endler’s livebearers will thrive on standard tropical fish flakes or guppy food. Endler’s will graze on any algae that grows on the surfaces, as well as shelled peas, blanched zucchini and cucumber, and other foods that your betta will consume.
Reproduction of Endlers
If you have dead livebearers in your tank, they will reproduce. In reality, the only thing they really require to breed is water that is the appropriate temperature. Once this occurs, you should anticipate giving birth every 3 weeks or so.
This is usually a good thing since it provides your betta with a lot of live food to pursue and consume. However, keep in mind that if any of them reach maturity, the bioload may be impacted. To reduce the likelihood of reproducing, an all female tank may be preferable.
It’s also a good idea to retain a larger female-to-male ratio to avoid any one female gaining too much attention from the males. Male Endler’s livebearers will continually seek to breed with the females, and having a larger female ratio assures that no single female is the centre of all of their mating attempts.
Though it appears that most Endlers are less cannibalistic towards their young than typical guppies, raising the fry in a separate, breeding-only tank is still a smart idea. In the absence of that, the tank should be highly planted, with floating plants or thick plants of live Java moss giving the fry the best chance of survival.
Conclusion
Endlers and bettas, as you can see, are fantastic tank mates if their temperaments are nice. Here are some of the most crucial things to keep in mind to guarantee that both fish are happy. Endlers livebearers are wonderful tank mates for bettas since they are not showy and can swim quickly.
If you want to give your betta the most chance of not being aggressive, add the endlers to the tank first. If you already have a betta, remove him from the tank, reorganise it, add the endlers, and then reintroduce your betta. You might also try introducing a baby betta with endlers or, in the worst-case scenario, purchase a tank divider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Betta fish and Endlers
Can Endlers be maintained with Betta?
Endlers livebearers make ideal tank mates for bettas since they aren’t showy and can swim quickly. If you want your betta fish to be less aggressive, add the endlers livebearers to the tank first.
How many Endlers should be kept together?
The minimum tank size for Endlers is 5-10 gallons, but we recommend going bigger because of all the fry they will produce. For a 10-gallon aquarium, start with a trio of one male and two females. For a 20-gallon aquarium, buy six to nine of them.
Are Endlers sensitive?
Endler guppy is a schooling fish that enjoys tiny tanks with lentic water that is densely planted with a variety of plants. In aquariums with floating plants, the fish feels considerably at ease. The tank should be planted with small-leaved plants, and certain parts should be kept open for the fish to swim. It might be beneficial to introduce some variable species to the water’s surface.
How large may Endler’s fish grow?
Female Endler fish may grow to be 1.8 in (4.5 cm) long, while males can grow to be 1 in (2.5 cm) long. The Endler livebearer is almost the same size as regular guppies. The female Endler vs. female guppy size comparison demonstrates that this guppy population has similar sizes as well.
Do Endlers require living plants?
Endlers benefit from live plants in particular since they poop a lot, which means there is a lot of waste that has to be broken down. Since plants eliminate ammonia from the water, they can lessen the amount of water changes you end up needing to make as well as keep your endlers healthier.
Can you mix Endlers?
If you wish to breed endlers, then you should maintain them separately in their own tank and don’t mix them with fancy guppies. Aside from that, endlers are ideal community tank fish owing to their placid and sociable character, which is shared by the ordinary guppy.
References
Endlers With Betta: Tips On Avoiding Territorial Behavior
Can You Keep Endlers Livebearers With Bettas? (What To Do)
Endlers With Betta: Tips On Avoiding Territorial Behavior
