Santa Maria Endler: Complete Care and Breeding Guide -

Aquarium enthusiasts are always on the lookout for vibrant, hardy, and active fish that can bring life to their tanks. Among the most stunning options available today is the Santa Maria Endler, a selectively bred strain of Endler’s Livebearer (Poecilia wingei). Known for its dazzling orange-red chest and shimmering metallic body, this Endler variety is gaining popularity among both beginner and experienced aquarists.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Santa Maria Endler, from its origins and appearance to care, breeding, and compatibility with other fish. Whether you’re planning to set up a nano tank or a community aquarium, this article will help you succeed in keeping this beautiful fish.

What is a Santa Maria Endler?

The Santa Maria Endler is a hybrid strain of Endler’s Livebearer and Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), developed to enhance colors and fin shapes. This strain features a brilliant red-orange chest that resembles the glowing light of a sunset, contrasted with a silvery or metallic black body.

It is one of the most sought-after Endler strains because of its unique pattern and hardiness. Unlike many delicate ornamental fish, Santa Maria Endlers are strong, adaptable, and easy to breed.

Origin and History

Scientific Name: Poecilia wingei (Endler’s Livebearer) × Poecilia reticulata (Guppy hybrid)
Common Name: Santa Maria Endler
Family: Poeciliidae
Origin: Hybrid strain created by selective breeding from Endler and guppy lines.

While pure Endlers were discovered in Laguna de Patos, Venezuela in the 1970s, the Santa Maria strain is a man-made variety created by breeders to enhance color intensity and improve visual appeal.

Appearance and Coloration

The Santa Maria Endler stands out due to its:

Bright Red-Orange Chest – The defining feature, covering the lower body and extending toward the belly.
Metallic Black or Silver Body – Shiny iridescent background that enhances the chest coloration.
Streamlined Shape – More slender and smaller than guppies.
Colorful Fins – Males often have touches of yellow, red, or black in their fins.

Size:

Males: 1 – 1.5 inches
Females: 1.5 – 2 inches

Why Choose Santa Maria Endler?

Many aquarists love this strain for its:

Striking Colors – The fiery red chest makes them a centerpiece fish.
Small Size – Ideal for nano aquariums.
Active Behavior – Constant swimmers that bring life to the tank.
Hardiness – Adaptable to a wide range of water conditions.
Easy Breeding – Perfect for hobbyists interested in livebearer breeding projects.

Tank Requirements for Santa Maria Endlers

To keep your fish healthy and vibrant, it’s important to provide the right tank setup.

Tank Size

Minimum: 10 gallons for a small colony.
Recommended: 20 gallons or more for mixed communities.

Tank Shape

Long aquariums are preferred since Endlers love swimming space.

Substrate

Fine gravel or sand.
Dark substrate enhances the orange and black coloration.

Plants and Decorations

Live plants: Java moss, Guppy grass, Hornwort, and Anubias.
Floating plants: Salvinia, Frogbit, Duckweed – provide shade and reduce stress.
Hiding spots: Driftwood, caves, and rocks.

Water Parameters

Santa Maria Endlers thrive in stable, tropical conditions.

Temperature: 72 – 82°F (22 – 28°C)
pH: 6.5 – 8.0
Water Hardness: 10 – 25 dGH
Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Below 20 ppm

👉 They can adapt to a range of water parameters but keeping them stable ensures maximum color and health.

Filtration and Aeration

Use a sponge filter for small aquariums and fry tanks.
Larger tanks can benefit from hang-on-back or canister filters.
Ensure moderate water flow – too strong currents can stress them.
Provide adequate aeration for oxygen-rich water.

Lighting

Moderate lighting brings out their metallic shine.
If keeping live plants, provide aquarium LED lighting that enhances both fish and plants.
Avoid excessive brightness, which can stress fish.

Diet and Feeding

Santa Maria Endlers are omnivores and require a balanced diet.

Staple Diet:

High-quality guppy flakes.
Micro pellets formulated for livebearers.

Protein Foods:

Live or frozen brine shrimp.
Daphnia.
Bloodworms.
Microworms.

Vegetables and Plant Matter:

Spirulina flakes.
Blanched spinach, zucchini, or peas.

👉 Feed 2–3 small meals daily, only as much as they can eat within 1–2 minutes.

Breeding Santa Maria Endlers

Breeding is one of the most enjoyable aspects of keeping this fish.

Breeding Facts:

Reproduction Type: Livebearers (give birth to live fry).
Gestation Period: ~3–4 weeks.
Fry Per Brood: 15–30 fry.
Fry Survival Rate: High, especially with plant cover.

Breeding Tips:

Provide dense plants like Java moss for fry hiding.
Use a breeding box or separate tank if you want to save most fry.
Feed fry with infusoria, baby brine shrimp, and crushed flakes.
Separate males and females if you want to control overpopulation.

Tank Mates for Santa Maria Endlers

They are peaceful and thrive with other non-aggressive fish.

Compatible Tank Mates:

Guppies
Mollies
Swordtails
Corydoras
Rasboras
Neon Tetras
Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp

Avoid:

Aggressive cichlids (Oscars, Jack Dempseys).
Fin-nipping fish like Tiger Barbs.
Bettas (may cause aggression in some cases).

Common Health Issues

Like all livebearers, Santa Maria Endlers are prone to certain conditions:

Ich (White Spot Disease) – Treat with aquarium salt or medications.
Fin Rot – Caused by poor water quality or fin-nipping tank mates.
Internal Parasites – Quarantine new fish before adding them.
Obesity – Overfeeding leads to bloating and swim bladder issues.

Prevention:

Maintain clean water.
Quarantine new arrivals.
Provide a balanced diet.
Avoid overcrowding.

Maintenance Tips

Perform 20–30% water changes weekly.
Siphon substrate to remove waste.
Clean filters monthly without destroying beneficial bacteria.
Trim plants to prevent overgrowth.

Cost and Availability

Santa Maria Endlers are widely available through aquarium stores and online breeders.
Price range: $4 – $10 per fish.
Often sold in pairs or groups.

Pros and Cons of Santa Maria Endlers

Pros:

✔ Brilliant coloration (orange-red chest).
✔ Hardy and adaptable.
✔ Peaceful nature – great for community tanks.
✔ Easy to breed.
✔ Perfect for nano and planted tanks.

Cons:

✘ Can breed rapidly (may overpopulate).
✘ Small size makes them vulnerable to larger fish.
✘ Hybrid strain (not pure wild Endlers, which some breeders prefer).

Advanced Aquascaping for Santa Maria Endlers

If you want to showcase their colors, consider aquascaping tips:

Use dark substrates to highlight their chest colors.
Add carpeting plants like Monte Carlo or Dwarf Hairgrass.
Create a mix of open swimming areas and dense plant thickets.
Floating plants provide cover and reduce stress.

A planted aquarium not only looks beautiful but also improves water quality and fry survival.

Conclusion

The Santa Maria Endler is a visually stunning, hardy, and easy-to-care-for freshwater fish that makes an excellent addition to both beginner and advanced aquariums. Its bright red chest, metallic body, and active swimming behavior add life and color to any tank.

With the right care – stable water parameters, balanced nutrition, and a peaceful tank environment – Santa Maria Endlers will thrive, breed readily, and reward aquarists with a vibrant, active display.

Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to start with livebearers or an experienced aquarist seeking unique strains, the Santa Maria Endler is a perfect choice.

FAQs about Santa Maria Endler

1. How big do Santa Maria Endlers get?
Males grow up to 1–1.5 inches, while females reach 1.5–2 inches.

2. Are Santa Maria Endlers pure Endlers?
No, they are a hybrid strain of Endler’s Livebearer and Guppy.

3. How many should I keep together?
Keep them in groups of at least 6 or more for social interaction.

4. Do Santa Maria Endlers need a heater?
Yes, they thrive in tropical temperatures between 72–82°F.

5. How fast do Santa Maria Endlers breed?
They can breed every 3–4 weeks, producing 15–30 fry per brood.

6. Are they good for beginners?
Yes, they are hardy, colorful, and easy to care for, making them beginner-friendly.

7. What is the lifespan of Santa Maria Endlers?
They typically live 2–3 years with proper care.

8. Do Santa Maria Endlers eat their fry?
Yes, adults may eat fry, but survival rates are higher in planted tanks.

9. Can Santa Maria Endlers live with shrimp?
Yes, they are shrimp-safe and do well with Cherry Shrimp and Amano Shrimp.

10. How much do Santa Maria Endlers cost?
They usually cost $4–$10 per fish, depending on quality and availability.