Head to head
Endler's Livebearer vs Guppy
Endler's livebearer and the guppy are close enough relatives to interbreed, but their wild stories could not be more different, one confined to a couple of small Venezuelan lagoons, the other an invasive species established on every inhabited continent.
| Endler's Livebearer | Guppy | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Poecilia wingei | Poecilia reticulata |
| Native range | A couple of small lagoons in Venezuela | Northeastern South America and Trinidad |
| Relationship | Close relative of the guppy, can interbreed | Close relative of Endler's livebearer, can interbreed |
| Reproduction | Live-bearing | Live-bearing |
| Invasive status | Not noted as invasive | Widely invasive, established on every inhabited continent |
| Male colouring | Vivid orange, blue, and green | Enormous variety of bred colours and patterns |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Least Concern |
Endler's Livebearer vs Guppy: common questions
Are Endler's livebearer and the guppy related?
Yes, they are close enough relatives to interbreed, which has actually complicated efforts to preserve genetically pure wild Endler's livebearer populations.
Which is more at risk, Endler's livebearer or the guppy?
Endler's livebearer, which is Endangered and confined to a couple of small lagoons in Venezuela, while the guppy is Least Concern and extremely abundant both in its native range and as an introduced species worldwide.
Is the guppy invasive while Endler's livebearer is not?
Yes, the guppy has been introduced and become established on every inhabited continent, often harming native fish and amphibians, while Endler's livebearer remains confined to its tiny natural range and is not considered invasive.