Endler's livebearers with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 25, 2026Research-based

Endler's livebearer (Poecilia wingei) is a small livebearer from coastal lagoons in northeastern Venezuela, named after Dr. John Endler, who rediscovered it (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op). It is closely related to the guppy and can breed with it, but it is a separate species and smaller. Endler's are colorful, hardy and easy to breed, and they like the same harder, neutral-to-alkaline water as cherry shrimp, which is why shrimp keepers so often ask about them.

Endler's at a glance

Will Endler's eat shrimp?

• Adults: no. The Shrimp Farm's tankmates guide rates Endler's as "does not eat adult shrimp", and its FAQ lists Endler's livebearers among the peaceful, small-mouthed fish that work well with shrimp.
• Shrimplets: some. Aquarium Co-Op says Endler's eat anything small enough to fit in their mouths and scavenge at every level of the tank. The Shrimp Farm says their smaller size means they have more trouble than guppies swallowing baby shrimp, which is a better rating than "safe for babies". Practical Fishkeeping puts guppies among fish that will almost certainly eat the young.
• Breeding shrimp: The Shrimp Farm's FAQ says that if you plan to breed shrimp and raise the young, you shouldn't keep fish with them.

In practice a cherry shrimp colony can keep growing alongside Endler's if there is plenty of moss, but more slowly than on its own. For a tank where shrimplets matter most, otocinclus are the safer fish. Compare neon tetras and chili rasboras, and see cherry shrimp tank mates.

Matching the water

Endler's are hard-water fish, so they suit Neocaridina such as cherry shrimp better than soft-water Caridina:

The shared zone is our comparison of the published ranges, not a tested target. The sources differ on temperature, and on hardness: Seriously Fish lists warm, very hard water, while Aquarium Co-Op says Endler's are hardy enough for room temperature and almost any GH. With the sources this far apart, our suggestion is to keep the water stable inside the shrimp's range rather than chase the fish's wild numbers. Soft, acidic Caridina such as crystal red shrimp are a poor match. See GH and KH explained, shrimp tank pH and shrimp tank temperature.

Tank size and setup

• Size: The Shrimp Farm lists 10 gallons or more. Aquarium Co-Op says 5 to 10 gallons is the minimum but recommends going bigger because of all the fry. Seriously Fish says an 18 × 12 × 12 in tank (about 11 gallons) holds a substantial colony. See how many shrimp per gallon.
• Dense plants and moss: Aquarium Co-Op recommends dense plants such as water sprite, wisteria and guppy grass to help fry survive, and the same cover shelters shrimplets. See java moss and best plants for a shrimp tank.
• Sponge filter: Aquarium Co-Op suggests a sponge filter or a prefilter sponge on the intake so fry aren't sucked up; it protects shrimplets too. See shrimp-safe filters.
• A heater is optional in a warm room. Aquarium Co-Op says Endler's can live at room temperature; Seriously Fish lists 75–86 °F. Pick a steady temperature in the shared zone; see nano tank heaters.

Males, females and endless fry

Endler's breed constantly. Aquarium Co-Op says babies appear every 23 to 30 days depending on temperature, and Seriously Fish says breeding them is more a question of when than how. A few things follow for a shrimp tank:

• Ratio: Aquarium Co-Op suggests one male per 2 to 3 females, and a trio (one male, two females) for a 10-gallon tank, so females aren't harassed constantly.
• Males only: Seriously Fish says to buy only males if you don't want to breed them. In a shrimp tank this avoids a growing population of fish competing for space and food.
• Parents eat fry: Aquarium Co-Op notes the adults eat their own young, so fry survival, like shrimplet survival, depends on cover.
• Plan for extras: Aquarium Co-Op suggests giving or selling juveniles to a local fish store or friends once they reach about half an inch to an inch.

Keep them away from guppies

Seriously Fish says Endler's should not be kept with guppies because they crossbreed, and Aquarium Co-Op confirms the offspring are fertile; the hybrids are sold as "Endler guppies". If you want purebred Endler's, buy from a seller who keeps them separate. Hybrid Endler guppies have similar care (Aquarium Co-Op), but larger guppy-type fish may be harder on shrimplets; The Shrimp Farm lists guppies at up to 2.5 in, and Practical Fishkeeping puts larger livebearers on its avoid list.

Feeding both

• Varied small foods: Aquarium Co-Op feeds flakes, pellets, Repashy gel food and daphnia. Seriously Fish says they are omnivores that should get some vegetation in their diet.
• Feed the shrimp on the bottom: Endler's scavenge at the surface and on the substrate (Aquarium Co-Op), so drop sinking shrimp food into the plants, ideally after the fish have eaten. See best shrimp food.
• Well-fed fish hunt less. Practical Fishkeeping lists keeping fish well fed, with plenty of plants and hiding places, as ways to reduce shrimp losses.

How to add Endler's to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the colony build up before adding fish.
• Mature tank: fully cycled and stable; see how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Aquarium Co-Op notes Endler's can get bacterial and fungal infections if water quality slips, and Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Mixing Endler's with guppies and expecting purebred fry.
• Buying one male and one female, or a male-heavy group.
• No plan for the fry in a small shrimp tank.
• Housing Endler's with soft, acidic-water Caridina.
• Medicating fish in the shrimp tank.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Can Endler's livebearers live with cherry shrimp?

Usually, yes. The Shrimp Farm rates Endler's as not eating adult shrimp and lists them among small-mouthed fish that work well with shrimp. Expect some shrimplet losses.

Will Endler's eat baby shrimp?

Some. Endler's eat anything that fits in their mouths (Aquarium Co-Op), though The Shrimp Farm says their small size makes baby shrimp harder to swallow than for guppies. Thick moss helps.

Are Endler's safer with shrimp than guppies?

Somewhat. They are smaller, and The Shrimp Farm says that makes baby shrimp harder to swallow. Both leave adult shrimp alone.

How many Endler's should I keep with shrimp?

A trio of one male and two females in a 10-gallon tank (Aquarium Co-Op), or males only if you don't want fry (Seriously Fish).

What water works for Endler's and cherry shrimp?

Roughly 72 to 80 °F, pH 7.0 to 8.0 and GH about 6 to 8. Endler's like harder water, so they suit cherry shrimp better than soft-water Caridina.

Do Endler's need a heater with shrimp?

Not always. Aquarium Co-Op says they can live at room temperature; Seriously Fish lists 75 to 86 °F. Keep the temperature steady.

Can I keep Endler's and guppies together?

Seriously Fish says no if you want purebred Endler's, because the two crossbreed and produce fertile hybrids.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Poecilia wingei (Endler's livebearer) (Poecilia wingei; Campoma and Buena Vista lagoons, northeastern Venezuela; hybridises with the guppy to produce fertile offspring, valid species; 18 × 12 × 12 in, about 11 US gal, for a substantial colony; 24–30 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, 15–35 dGH; omnivore, some vegetation in the diet; not suited to a general community because of small size; several females per male, females can be territorial; do not keep with guppies; very easy and prolific breeders, buy only males if not breeding); Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for Endler's livebearers (named after Dr. John Endler; males up to 1 in, females up to 1.8 in; not the same species as guppies but can produce fertile hybrids; hardy beginner fish; room temperature without a heater, pH 6.5–8.5, almost any GH; infections if water quality slips; 5–10 gallon minimum, go bigger for fry; trio for 10 gallons; one male per 2–3 females; flakes, pellets, Repashy, daphnia, scavenge surface to substrate; fry every 23–30 days; parents eat fry, dense plants and sponge filter); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (Endler guppy, Poecilia wingei, up to 1.8 in, 10+ gallons, beginner-proof, does not eat adult shrimp; smaller size means more trouble swallowing baby shrimp; guppy up to 2.5 in); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp keeping FAQ (Endler's livebearers among peaceful, small-mouthed fish that work well with shrimp; no fish if you plan to breed and raise shrimp); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (guppies among fish that will almost certainly eat the young; larger livebearers do not belong with shrimp; reduce losses with plants, hiding places and well-fed fish; shrimp first; many medications not invertebrate-safe). Cherry shrimp ranges from our cherry shrimp care guide (The Shrimp Farm). Checked October 25, 2026.