Staeck Endler - Poecilia wingei : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
The discovery of the Staeck Endler strain (Poecilia wingei) is an interesting tale that began with Dr Wolfgang Staeck, a German doctor residing in Berlin who stumbled upon this unique Endler strain in 2004. This strain was then named after him. Karen Koomans later crossed a Staeck Guppy male with a Yellow Top Sword Endler female and introduced the new line to the aquarium hobby as the 'Hamburg hybrid Endler strain'. These Endlers have gained immense popularity due to their unique appearance, small size, hardiness, and peaceful temperament. They are a great option for both novice and advanced aquarium hobbyists.
The Staeck Endlers are highly active and look stunning. They are best kept in groups, with more females than males, and with peaceful tankmates such as Corydoras Catfish, Otocinclus Catfish, Loaches, Danios, Rasboras, Dwarf Barbs, Shrimp, and Snails. The ideal aquarium setup for Staeck Endlers should be heavily planted, and floating plants should be included to diffuse bright lighting and provide hiding spots for fry. These fish come from slow-flowing to still waters; therefore, a small air-powered sponge filter with a gentle flow is sufficient. It is important to note that Endlers are exceptional jumpers, despite their small size, so a tight-fitting lid is necessary.
The Staeck Endler strain displays an intense chromatic iridescent body in various colours and patterns, with one to three large black splotches that look like a mechanical pattern distributed horizontally on their body. These Endlers may also have an incredible top swordtail, bottom swordtail, or double swordtail. However, if you want to keep your strain pure, you should avoid housing them with other Endlers or Guppies, as hybridisation is inevitable.
Staeck Endler Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Male and female Staeck Endlers can be easily distinguished from one another. The males are more brilliantly coloured and patterned and are smaller in size compared to the females. They also possess various swordtails, while females lack the male's swordtail and are much larger and have a plain and dull appearance.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Poecilia wingei |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 2004 |
| Other Names | Hamburg Endler |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family | Poeciliidae |
| Genus | Poecilia |
| Origins | Venezuela |
| Max Size | 4 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Livebearer |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 3 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 15 |
| KH | 2 - 8 |
| TDS | 180-400 |
| ℉ | 75 - 85 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 23 - 29 |
Natural Habitat
The Staeck Endler originates from the vibrant and diverse freshwater habitats of Laguna de Los Patos in the Cumana region of Venezuela. These habitats are characterised by slow-flowing, warm and hard waters that are heavily enriched with algae, which contributes to the lakes and creeks' iconic green hues.
Breeding
Staeck Endlers are known for their prolific breeding, with females giving birth to live young every 23 to 28 days. Breeding is easy, and all that is required is thick planting and at least two females for every male. The male will transfer his milt into the female via his gonopodium, which is used to fertilize her eggs.
Just before the live young are released, the female will have a dark black gravid spot near her vent. Each drop of live young can range from one to thirty or more, depending on the mother's age and size. The fry will initially spend their first few hours at the bottom of the tank, where they consume their yolk sacs. At this stage, they are vulnerable to predators, including their mothers and other Endler females, but the males seem less interested in cannibalism.
Once the fry has consumed their yolk sacs, you can feed them baby brine shrimp, powdered fry food, crushed flake food, and microorganisms that develop on aquatic plants or aquarium decor. It takes about four weeks for the males to start presenting their colour, and it may take several months before they develop the full extent and abundance of colour that characterizes Endlers.
Diet & Feeding
To ensure optimal health and well-being of Staeck Endlers, a diverse diet consisting of both dried and live/frozen foods is recommended. These omnivores are known to feed on small insects, algae, and plant matter in their natural habitat, and thus, it is essential to recreate this diet in the home aquarium.
High-quality dried foods such as flakes or granules can form the staple diet, while live or frozen foods like bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp can be offered as supplements.
Additionally, it is recommended to supplement their diet with plant matter, which can be achieved by offering small blanched zucchini medallions or shelled and blanched peas. A balanced and varied diet will not only keep these fish healthy but also enhance their vibrant colours and patterns.
Videos
10 tank mate ideas for the Staeck Endler
Looking for some awesome tank mate ideas for your Staeck Endler? Look no further! Here are 10 of the most captivating & fascinating options that will liven up your aquarium!
