Red Rainbow Female Endler Guppy (Poecilia wingei-type) – Single Female

The Red Rainbow female Endler guppy is a small livebearing fish supplied under the name Poecilia wingei. Females are usually fuller-bodied and more understated than mature males, making them useful for a female group or for balancing a carefully planned mixed-sex aquarium. The supplier calls this stock “Red Rainbow”, but that is a trade designation rather than a scientifically defined colour standard.

Quantity one buys one fish supplied as female, at an approximate dispatch size of 1.5-2.5 cm. This is not a pair, trio or pack. The size is a supplier grade at dispatch, not a guaranteed measurement of the exact fish and not its adult maximum. Sex is assigned from the available livebearer characteristics; age, condition and individual variation can make very small fish harder to assess.

The protected gallery contains one representative aquarium image. It is not a photograph of the exact fish chosen for dispatch and cannot prove its adult colour, lineage, breeding status or final size. Expect natural variation in body colour, markings, proportions and colour intensity. A newly transported female may also look paler while she settles.

Female Endler guppy care at a glance

Care point	Practical guidance	Important boundary
Accepted species name	Poecilia wingei	“Poecilia endler” is informal trade wording, not the accepted scientific name
Trade designation	Red Rainbow female Endler guppy	No breeder, locality, generation or pure-line certificate is supplied
Sale unit	One fish supplied as female	Quantity one does not buy a pair or group
Dispatch size	Approximately 1.5-2.5 cm	A live trade grade, not an exact measurement or adult maximum
Adult planning size	Allow for about 4 cm total length	Certified wild P. wingei can be smaller; domestic Endler-type ancestry is unverified
Aquarium	60 cm long and roughly 45 litres or more for a small group	More fish, mixed sexes or retained fry need more capacity
Temperature	20-28°C; choose a stable point shared by all residents	Stability is more useful than moving through the full range
Water chemistry	pH 7.0-8.0; about 8-18 dGH	Test the source water and acclimate gradually
Diet	Fine quality staple plus varied frozen or live foods	Small mouths need suitably sized particles
Temperament	Social, active and generally community-suitable	Feeding pressure, male attention and individual behaviour still matter

These values are planning ranges, not targets to chase with repeated chemical adjustment. Establish biological filtration first, keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, and choose a stable temperature and mineral level that suit every species in the aquarium.

What “Red Rainbow Endler” means

The accepted species name is Poecilia wingei, in the livebearer family Poeciliidae. NCBI and FishBase both recognise that name. The original 2005 species description separated P. wingei from the common guppy, Poecilia reticulata, using male colour pattern, morphology and geographic evidence from northern Venezuela.

“Endler guppy” is the familiar aquarium name. “Red Rainbow” identifies the colour stock in the supplier catalogue, but it is not a formal taxon and does not by itself prove a pure wild line. The supplier provides no breeder, collection locality, generation record or genetic certificate for this shipment. For that reason, this page does not describe the fish as wild caught, locality-pure or genetically pure.

Female appearance and colour expectations

The original description of P. wingei found strong sexual dimorphism: males were polychromatic, while females were comparatively uniform and greyish with a bright metallic sheen. Domestic aquarium females can show more colour than those described wild fish, especially when selective breeding or guppy ancestry is involved.

This supplier calls the stock Red Rainbow, so a female may show warm red, orange, bronze or iridescent accents. That does not mean every fish will develop the intense pattern of a mature male. Colour can vary with genetics, maturity, lighting, background, diet, transport stress and social condition. The selected fish may be subtler than the representative image.

Male and female differences

Mature males are normally smaller and more strongly patterned, with a gonopodium formed from the anal fin. Females are usually deeper-bodied, with a fan-shaped anal fin and a less elaborate colour pattern. These traits are clearest in mature, settled fish; a small juvenile near the lower edge of the dispatch grade can be less straightforward to sex.

Gallery-image disclosure

The single current image is a representative scene of a silver-tan livebearer with red-orange markings in a planted aquarium. It remains protected and has not been removed, replaced or reordered. Use it to understand the intended trade form, not as a promise of the exact fish, exact marking placement, sex anatomy, scale or background.

Sale unit, dispatch size and adult size

Each quantity is one fish supplied as female. Ordering three means three supplier-designated females. It does not include a male, a breeding trio or a guaranteed mix of colour intensities. Current availability and price are shown by the live selector and checkout rather than fixed in this care text.

The supplier grade is approximately 1.5-2.5 cm. Live fish do not arrive as calibrated objects, so an individual may sit near either edge of the range. The grade can include the tail depending on trade measurement practice and should not be used as a precise scientific standard-length measurement.

The original description reported female P. wingei up to about 20 mm standard length. Standard length stops at the base of the tail. Retail Endler-type females are often described at greater total lengths, and this shipment does not have certified wild-line ancestry. For conservative stocking, allow for roughly 4 cm total length and do not build a population plan around the smallest published figure.

Aquarium size and layout

Endlers are small, but “nano fish” should not be read as permission for an unstable desktop container. Our practical starting point for a small group is a mature aquarium at least 60 cm long and around 45 litres. A longer tank gives active fish room to forage and lets individuals move away from persistent attention. Increase the volume when combining sexes, adding other groups or allowing fry to remain.

Use a close-fitting lid. Endler-type livebearers are active near the surface and can jump through small gaps, especially after a move or during chasing. Cover filter and cable openings without sealing the aquarium against gas exchange.

Plants and structure

Dense planting around the sides and back creates visual breaks, resting areas and refuge for subordinate fish. Fine-leaved plants and floating roots also give newborn fry a chance to avoid adults. Keep an open front or central swimming lane and do not let floating growth block the whole surface.

Filtration and flow

Use mature biological filtration with gentle to moderate circulation. The outlet should move waste toward the filter without pinning small fish in a constant current. A sponge pre-filter protects fry and prevents small fish being drawn against a strong intake.

Water parameters and routine maintenance

OATA's guppy and molly care guidance gives 20-28°C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 8-18 dGH. A published captive P. wingei system successfully maintained a documented wild line at 26°C, pH 7.4-7.9, 8-10 dGH and 5-6 dKH with filtration and regular water changes. Those study conditions are an example, not the only workable recipe.

Choose a stable point within the shared range of all tank residents. Moderate to hard, neutral-to-alkaline water is usually the simpler direction for these livebearers. Very soft water can require mineral planning rather than guesswork. Read our aquarium water-chemistry guide before changing hardness or pH.

Test	Before adding fish	Ongoing response
Ammonia	0 mg/L	Any detectable result needs an immediate husbandry check and partial water change
Nitrite	0 mg/L	Detectable nitrite means the biological system is not coping safely
Nitrate	Keep close to source-water level and controlled	Use testing, modest feeding, planting and regular partial changes
Temperature	Stable within the shared range	Match replacement water and avoid abrupt swings
pH and hardness	Known, repeatable source water	Make measured changes slowly; do not chase a midpoint

Change a sensible portion of water regularly, vacuum exposed waste and rinse reusable filter media in removed aquarium water when flow falls. Do not replace all mature media at once. The first tropical aquarium guide covers cycling and preparation for a new setup.

Social behaviour and group planning

Endler-type livebearers are social, visible fish rather than solitary display animals. Quantity one is suitable when adding a female to an established compatible group. For a new aquarium, plan several compatible females together and make sure the filtration and floor plan can support the whole adult group.

A female-only group avoids continual courtship but does not guarantee that no fry will appear. If males are present, use more females than males so attention is not concentrated on one fish. Two or three females per male is a common practical minimum, while more space and cover remain essential.

Watch behaviour, not just labels

Normal activity includes group foraging, short displays and brief changes of position. Persistent chasing, one fish hiding continuously, clamped fins, weight loss or blocked feeding access requires action. Add visual cover, review group composition and be ready to separate an individual rather than assuming “peaceful” means conflict cannot occur.

Compatible tank mates

Choose small, non-predatory community fish that share neutral-to-alkaline, moderately hard water and will not outcompete a small livebearer. Adult size, group requirements, swimming level and feeding speed matter more than a generic compatibility badge.

Companion type	Starting view	Checks before combining
Other female Endlers	Strong option	Use enough space, cover and filtration for the full group
Male Endlers	Possible with planning	Expect courtship and fry; keep more females than males
Small calm hard-water fish	Often suitable	Confirm adult size, full group needs and feeding access
Common guppies	Community possible, lineage caution	The species can hybridise; do not mix them if maintaining a documented line
Adult dwarf shrimp	Caution	Some may coexist, but shrimplets can be eaten and no shrimp-safe guarantee applies
Large, predatory or fin-nipping fish	Avoid	Small Endlers can be injured, swallowed or excluded from food

Browse the Endler guppy collection to compare current options. The El Tigre Endler male, Black Fire Endler and Blue Dwarf Endler-type guppy have different trade descriptions; none should be assumed to share certified lineage with this female.

Feeding a female Endler

Feed a varied omnivorous diet in particles small enough for the fish to take cleanly. A reputable fine flake, micro-granule or soft micro-pellet can provide the regular prepared staple. Rotate suitably sized frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia or cyclops from controlled sources.

Offer small portions once or twice daily and watch the fish eat. Large food pieces can be ignored while faster companions take everything else. Crush flakes when necessary and distribute food across more than one point. Remove persistent leftovers before they break down.

Food	Useful role	Avoid
Fine complete flake or micro-granule	Regular staple	Pieces too large for the fish to swallow
Baby brine shrimp, daphnia or cyclops	Variety and feeding enrichment	Uncontrolled wild sources that may introduce contaminants
Plant-containing prepared food	Part of a varied omnivorous menu	Treating the fish as an algae-control product
Fry food	Useful only when fry are present	Overfeeding fine powder that rapidly fouls the water

Livebearing, stored sperm and fry

Endlers are livebearers: embryos develop within the female and free-swimming fry are born rather than eggs being laid in the aquarium. A female housed with males may already have mated before sale. Research on the closely related common guppy shows that females can store sperm for days to months and use it for later broods.

If fry appear, adults and tank mates may eat them. Dense fine-leaved plants increase survival, but retained juveniles quickly add bioload. Decide in advance whether you can provide grow-out space and responsible homes. Avoid breeding from fish with obvious body deformity, chronic illness or uncertain goals simply because reproduction is easy.

Keeping a documented Endler line

Aquarium strains are not the same thing as documented wild populations. If your purpose is conservation, genetics or a formal show line, keep records of breeder, collection locality, generation and every outcross. This supplier listing does not provide those records, so it should be treated as an ornamental Red Rainbow Endler-type fish rather than certified conservation stock.

Do not mix it with common guppies or unrelated Endler strains if preserving a known line matters. Experimental research demonstrates viable crosses between P. wingei and P. reticulata. Once ancestry is mixed, appearance alone cannot reconstruct a reliable pedigree.

Arrival, acclimation and the first week

Prepare the aquarium before dispatch day. Confirm that the filter is mature, ammonia and nitrite are zero, temperature is stable and a secure lid is fitted. Dim the lights before opening the transport packaging and follow the acclimation instructions supplied with the order rather than leaving the fish in cooling transport water for an unnecessarily long period.

After release, allow quiet time. Temporary paling, hiding or a missed first meal can occur after transport. Offer a small familiar food when the fish is swimming normally, and make sure established residents do not block feeding or shelter.

Health, quarantine and observation

A settled female should hold herself level, swim actively, forage and compete appropriately for food. Clear eyes, intact skin and normally held fins are useful signs, but behaviour and trend matter more than one snapshot. A fish that remains isolated, breathes rapidly, loses balance or stops eating needs a water-quality check and closer assessment.

Quarantine new arrivals when your household setup allows it. A separate mature, heated and filtered aquarium makes feeding, waste and symptoms easier to observe without exposing established stock. Test water before reaching for medication, and seek advice from an aquatic-experienced professional when the cause is uncertain.

Do not promise or expect a fixed lifespan. Genetics, early rearing, temperature, water quality, diet, pregnancy frequency, social stress and disease history all influence longevity. Good care improves the odds; it does not create a guaranteed number of years.

Female Endler, male Endler and common guppy compared

Fish	Typical appearance	Adult planning	Lineage point
Female Endler-type livebearer	Fuller body, fan-shaped anal fin, usually subtler colour	Allow around 4 cm total length for uncertain domestic ancestry	This Red Rainbow shipment has no certified pedigree
Male Poecilia wingei-type	Smaller, patterned body and gonopodium	Needs a group plan despite small size	Trade strain names do not prove locality purity
Common guppy, P. reticulata	Many larger domestic fin and colour forms	Often larger-bodied, especially females	Can hybridise with P. wingei
Documented wild-line P. wingei	Population-specific male patterns, relatively uniform females	Care is similar but records matter	Requires traceable locality and breeder documentation

Ordering this live fish

Choose the basket quantity shown on this page. Quantity one is one fish supplied as female in the approximate 1.5-2.5 cm dispatch grade. Price, stock and delivery choices are dynamic and should be confirmed in the live selector and checkout.

Eligible livestock orders are covered by the Live Arrival Guarantee when its conditions are followed. Read the current live-fish delivery and guarantee information before ordering so someone can receive and inspect the shipment promptly. First-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off where the code is eligible.

The guarantee concerns the arrival terms in the policy. It is not a promise of exact colour, exact measurement, virgin status, pregnancy, future fry, certified pedigree or compatibility with an unreviewed aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

Is this fish really Poecilia wingei?

That is the accepted species name used for the supplier-listed Endler. The shipment has no breeder or genetic certificate, so the page does not claim a pure wild line.

What does Red Rainbow mean?

It is the supplier's colour-stock name. It is not a formal taxonomic rank or a guarantee that every female will show the same amount or placement of red colour.

How many fish does quantity one buy?

One. Each quantity is one fish supplied as female, not a pair, trio or group.

What size will the fish be on arrival?

The supplier grade is approximately 1.5-2.5 cm. It is a live trade range rather than an exact measurement of the selected individual.

How large can a female Endler become?

Wild P. wingei females in the original description reached about 20 mm standard length, but domestic Endler-type ancestry can be uncertain. Allow roughly 4 cm total length for conservative stocking.

Can I keep one female alone?

Quantity one works when adding to an established compatible group. For a new setup, plan several compatible livebearers rather than a lone Endler.

What aquarium size do you recommend?

Use a mature covered aquarium at least 60 cm long and around 45 litres for a small group. Increase space for more fish, mixed sexes, tank mates or retained fry.

What temperature is suitable?

Use a stable point within 20-28°C that also suits every companion. Avoid abrupt change and do not move through the full range unnecessarily.

What pH and hardness are suitable?

Neutral-to-alkaline water around pH 7.0-8.0 and 8-18 dGH is a useful published range. Test your source water and make any changes gradually.

Are female Endlers colourful?

Females are usually subtler than males. This stock may show red, orange, bronze or iridescent accents, but exact colour and intensity are not guaranteed.

Can you guarantee the fish is female?

The product is sourced and sold as female. Very small livebearers can be harder to assess, so sex is based on the available characteristics rather than a genetic test.

Could a female arrive pregnant?

It is possible if she was previously exposed to males, but pregnancy is not promised. A female-only order is neither a pregnancy guarantee nor a no-fry guarantee.

Can a female produce fry without a male in my tank?

Yes, that is possible after earlier mating because guppy-type females can store sperm. The timing and number of any broods cannot be predicted for an individual shipment.

Can Endlers live with common guppies?

They can share compatible water and can also hybridise. Do not mix them if you are preserving a documented Endler line.

Are Endlers safe with shrimp?

No complete shrimp-safe promise applies. Some adults may coexist, but small shrimplets can be eaten and individual hunting behaviour varies.

What should I feed this fish?

Use a fine complete flake or micro-granule as the staple and rotate small frozen or live foods. Feed modest portions that the fish can swallow cleanly.

Is the image the exact fish I will receive?

No. It is a representative aquarium image. The dispatched fish can differ in colour, markings, body shape, apparent size and maturity.

Does WELCOME10 apply?

First-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off where eligible. Current discount and delivery conditions are confirmed at checkout.

Evidence and further reading

This listing separates supplier facts from general species evidence. The supplier confirms the Red Rainbow female trade name and approximate 1.5-2.5 cm dispatch grade. Taxonomy, morphology, care and reproductive boundaries were checked against the sources below.

• FishBase: Poecilia wingei species summary - accepted name, family, distribution and sexual dimorphism.
• Poeser, Kempkes and Isbrücker (2005): original description of Poecilia wingei - type locality, diagnostic size and female appearance.
• NCBI Taxonomy: Poecilia wingei - current taxonomic entity.
• OATA: guppy and molly care sheet - aquarium water ranges and routine care principles.
• Arbuatti, Della Salda and Romanucci (2013) - documented captive P. wingei system, water conditions, filtration, feeding and maintenance.
• Lampert and colleagues: experimental P. wingei and P. reticulata hybrids - evidence for the lineage warning.
• Gasparini and colleagues: female sperm storage in guppies - evidence for the possibility of later broods after previous mating.