Beginner30 L
Endler's paradise (30 L)
The wild cousin of the guppy: brighter, smaller, doesn't crossbreed.
Endlers (Poecilia wingei) are like guppies, but males are only 2–2.5 cm and incredibly vibrant. Perfect nano setup.
Keep males only — otherwise within months the tank becomes a fry factory. Females always come pregnant; do a separate breeding tank for them.
Dimensions
40×25×30 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
7–8.5
gH
10–25 °dGH
Setup time
3 wks
Budget
≈ $140
Total fish
8
Fish (8)
Plants (3)
- Java Fern× 2
- Dwarf Anubias× 1
Invertebrates (8)
- Cherry Shrimp× 8
Setup Checklist
Essential gear and water prep needed before adding fish
0 of 8 ready
- ≈ $25Internal filterEssential
- ≈ $18
- ≈ $5ThermometerCare
- ≈ $25Basic 6500K LED lightBase
- ≈ $12Inert substrate (2–5 mm gravel)Base
- ≈ $12Water conditioner (dechlorinator)Essential
Seachem Prime or Tetra AquaSafe — instantly detoxifies chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals
- ≈ $25Liquid drop test kit (pH, NH₃/NH₄, NO₂, NO₃)Recommended
API Freshwater Master Test Kit or liquid drop tests to monitor nitrogen cycle
- ≈ $15Fish net & gravel vacuum siphonCare
Soft fish net matched to fish size + gravel vacuum siphon for weekly 20–30% water changes
Decor
- Natural driftwood (mangrove or mopani)× 1
- Natural rock (Seiryu / Dragon Stone)× 2
Tips & gotchas
- Males only — females will turn the tank into an overcrowded nursery.
- Hard, alkaline water — drop a piece of limestone or coral chips in the filter.
- Tiny foods (micro flakes, brine shrimp) — endler mouths are tiny.
- Check line purity when buying — guppy hybrids lose colour over time.