10 × Santa Maria Endler Guppy Males (Poecilia reticulata × wingei Hybrid)

One quantity buys  Santa Maria Endler guppy males, supplied at approximately 2–3 cm. This is a male-only group, so it gives a planted aquarium plenty of colour and display behaviour without producing fry by itself. Individual colour, markings and fin shape vary naturally, and young males may continue developing after arrival.

Santa Maria, also called Santa Maria Bleeding Heart, is a domestic aquarium strain derived from the common guppy and Endler's livebearer. It is best described as a Poecilia reticulata × Poecilia wingei hybrid rather than a pure wild P. wingei population. That distinction matters for accurate identification and for anyone trying to keep pure livebearer lines.

Santa Maria Endler pack quick facts

Name, hybrid identity and appearance

The Santa Maria strain is commonly marketed as an Endler because of its compact males and Endler-style colour pattern. Specialist trade history describes it as a cross between P. reticulata and P. wingei, attributed to Japanese breeder Kenichiro Tamura, while also noting that the exact historical parent lines are not fully documented. Calling it a domestic hybrid is therefore more accurate than presenting "Poecilia endler santa maria" as a formal scientific name.

Typical mature males combine a dark upper body or shoulder with a red to orange chest and belly, often with blue-green iridescence and patterned fins. The strength and placement of those colours vary between individuals, age groups and breeding lines. Fish supplied at 2–3 cm may not yet show their final adult intensity, and transport or a new social hierarchy can temporarily mute colour.

The current gallery picture is an illustrative Endler-type image, not a photograph of the exact ten fish dispatched. Use the written strain description and sale-unit details when deciding whether this group suits your aquarium; do not expect every male to match one representative image.

Aquarium size and layout for ten males

The old 30-litre guidance described a very small generic Endler group and was not a sound plan for the ten fish sold here. A specialist husbandry benchmark recommends 20 US gallons (about 76 litres) for 6–9 Endlers. Because this listing supplies ten males, plan beyond that benchmark rather than treating 76 litres as an automatic minimum, and add further space for tank mates. Footprint, filtration capacity, planting and the adult needs of every other fish still matter.

Use dense planting around the back and sides, floating cover or tall stems, and open water across the front. Plants and hardscape should break long sightlines without trapping fish in dead ends. Gentle-to-moderate flow, reliable biological filtration and good surface movement suit these active livebearers. Fit a secure lid because small guppies and Endlers can jump, especially after introduction or when startled.

Water conditions and routine maintenance

Santa Maria males are adaptable, but adaptability is not a reason to expose them to rapid changes. They usually do best in neutral to alkaline water with useful calcium and magnesium content. The broad 22–28°C range is a tolerance guide; keeping the aquarium steadily around 23–26°C is easier to combine with many peaceful community fish. Avoid repeatedly forcing pH with quick chemical adjustments.

• Cycle and mature the aquarium before the fish arrive.
• Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and prevent nitrate and organic waste from accumulating.
• Match replacement water closely for temperature and chemistry.
• Use regular partial water changes rather than occasional large swings.
• Maintain oxygenation, particularly at the warm end of the temperature range.

Feeding small Endler-guppy males

These fish have small mouths and benefit from food distributed across the group. Use a quality fine flake or micro pellet as the staple, ideally with both animal and plant ingredients. Rotate tiny portions of baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops or another appropriately sized frozen or live food. Spirulina-enriched foods and natural grazing on mature plant and hardscape surfaces add useful variety.

Offer one or two small feeds rather than a large portion that sinks uneaten. Watch that all ten males obtain food, especially during the first week, and crush flakes when necessary for smaller arrivals. Remove obvious leftovers and reduce the portion if food remains after a few minutes.

Male-only behaviour and tank mates

A male-only group avoids pregnancy and the persistent mating pressure females can experience in mixed-sex livebearer tanks. The males will still display, flare their fins and conduct short chases. This is normal while every fish continues feeding and moving freely; repeated targeting, hiding or damaged fins means the layout or stocking plan needs attention.

Compatibility is never guaranteed by a species list alone. Compare adult size, temperature, hardness, feeding speed and behaviour, then observe the aquarium closely after introduction. Browse the Endler guppy collection to compare sale units and strains rather than mixing fish only because their colours look similar.

Breeding and strain integrity

Ten males cannot produce fry without females. If they are later kept with female guppies, Endlers or related hybrid strains, mating is likely and the descendants can be fertile. Keep them away from females when the goal is to preserve a documented pure P. wingei line or another named guppy strain. If breeding Santa Maria fish deliberately, label descendants honestly and do not sell them as wild-form or pure Endlers without reliable lineage records.

Compare the wider livebearer collection by sale unit, sex, adult size and water needs. For this particular listing, remember that the purchase is ten males, not a pair, trio or mixed-sex breeding group.

Arrival and first-week care

Prepare the mature aquarium before ordering and avoid adding the group during an ammonia, nitrite or temperature problem. On arrival, keep the lights low, match temperature gradually and follow the acclimation instructions supplied with the order. Do not give a large first feed. Over the following week, check breathing, posture, fins, colour recovery, appetite and whether every male can reach food without persistent chasing.

Livestock cover is governed by the current UK Live Arrival Guarantee, including its delivery-day evidence and contact requirements. The guarantee does not replace the need for a cycled aquarium, compatible water and prompt acclimation.

Why choose the ten-male Santa Maria group?

This pack is intended for aquarists who want a coordinated display of small, active male livebearers without immediate fry. It makes the most sense in a planted, mineral-rich aquarium where all ten fish have room to swim, feed and display. The corrected pack count, dispatch size and hybrid identity let you compare it fairly with single-fish, pair and bulk Santa Maria offers elsewhere.