Endler's Livebearer Leopard Skin (Poecilia wingei 'Leopard Skin')
| Endler's Livebearer Leopard Skin Poecilia wingei 'Leopard Skin' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Endler's Livebearer Leopard Skin |
| Name Lat. | Poecilia wingei 'Leopard Skin' |
| Family | Livebearers |
| Family lat. | Poeciliidae |
| Order | Killifishes & Livebearers |
| Order lat. | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Origin | Venezuela |
| Habitat | Freshwater lagoons |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 7.0-8.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Livebearer |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 2-4 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 2.5-4.5 cm |
| Temperature | 20-28 °C |
| Hardness | 15-30 °dH |
| Aquarium | 50 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1"-1.8" |
| Temperature | 68-82 °F |
| Hardness | 267-534 ppm |
| Aquarium | 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Leopard Skin Endler Guppy is a breeding form. The Endler Guppy is found exclusively (endemically) in the aquatic, shallow waters of the Campoma and Buena Vista freshwater lagoons in Venezuela. The wild form is only very rarely found in the trade.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a varied, partly dense planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate, shaded light (floating plants) and medium to hard water is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable in the water, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and mosquito larvae, which is also accepted without problems in frozen form, plus commercially available frozen food mixtures, supplemented with high-quality dry food (flakes, granules). In addition, they regularly need vegetable food, such as algae leaves, crushed peas, mashed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food (flakes, granules) with high vegetable content (spirulina, kelp).
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They are very peaceful fish, also intraspecies and well suited for a community tank with other calm and peaceful fish. At least 5, but better more Guppies must be kept together, whereby the number of females should predominate.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Males are smaller and have an anal fin (gonopodium) that has been transformed into a mating organ. The females are larger and appear rounder.
Reproduction and breeding
Guppies are live-bearing fish. Internal fertilization is facilitated by the male's gonopodium. Fertilized females are usually clearly recognizable by a dark colored pregnancy spot on the posterior abdomen. After 4-6 weeks of gestation, up to 100 fry are born. They are already fully developed and independent at birth. After they have filled their swim bladder at the water surface, they can immediately start feeding.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the young fish are easy prey.
Important
There is disagreement as to whether the Endler Guppy (Poecilia wingei) is a locational variant of the Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), or should be listed as a separate species. Since both species interbreed without restriction, for many the species character is not justified
Soft water is not tolerated well and makes them susceptible to disease. The addition of sea salt (mineral salt) from the pet store for water hardening prevents.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF