proposed set up for Endlers livebearer - would really appreciate advice

[thom336]

Im a great fan of livebearers, and of fish in their wild form, and there seems to be a recent increase in the popularity of Endlers livebearer, so Im gonna hunt it down and have a go with it. My planned set up is a tank in the region of 12", or possible 16", length (12" is the recommendation by the text I have read on them - and it is a source I find very reliable), I would keep them in with my guppies but dont want to risk them crossing, as they are very closely related to my knowledge. Also I have read they need to be kept in higher temps of around 27-30C. The tank will be set up like my guppy tank - silver sand, plants: parrots feather, amazon swords, crypts, bronze bacopa, java fern on bogwood and vallis. It will be a while before I get them, as firstly I have to set the tank up, and of course track the fish down, but I just wanted to know my plans were on the right track, and if anyone has any experiance of Endlers then I would be very interested to hear.

Thanks,
Thom.

[ChilDawg]

Definitely don't keep them with Guppies...according to this month's TFH, they are a recent divergence from the Guppy so they are very closely related.

I think that the tank idea sounds wonderful!

[thom336]

Cheers Matt.

[blitzen25bm]

sounds good, you cannot keep them with guppies though. It should look nice with the live plants, they don't really seem to eat the fry as much as guppies to it dosen't have to be too dense. i keep mine in a 60 gallon kept at 77 degrees F. They also seem to like the current from my filter outlet. here are some pics.

http://www.geocities.com/jcharernsuk/endlers1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/jcharernsuk/endlers2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/jcharernsuk/endlers3.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/jcharernsuk/endlers4.jpg

-john

[tricksterpup]

Sounds right on with me.
I would make a species tank though.. planning on doing the same thing here in the next few weeks and a seperate tank for Merry Widows. :)
The only problem you may have.. At least we have it here in the states, is that most LFS can not get females. You will only see the males.
jim

[thom336]

Thanks for all that. But your links dont seem to be working, John...
Anyway, I had a slight hitch in the plans as my Mum refused me more tanks, however I think I will move my guppies (once the fry are large enough) into my community tank, and hand their tank over to the Endlers. I surely hope I can get hold of some females, as I would love to breed them...

Thanks again,
Thom.

[blitzen25bm]

yea, geocities have been screwing everything up. i'll try again http://www.geocities.com/jcharernsuk/endlers.html dont think if it will work but its just pictures of my endlers.

[thom336]

Thanks for the pics john! 50 Endlers must be a sight an 'alf to watch!