Endler vs Guppy: The Key Differences
Endlers and guppies are both small freshwater fish that are known for their bright and stunning colors. They are extremely adaptable and thrive in many different conditions – something that makes them among the most popular aquarium species in the world. Although the appearance of the males and females differ, Endlers and guppies actually look incredibly similar. Despite this, there are a few key differences between them that make identifying them easier. So join us as we learn everything there is to know about Endler vs guppy!
Comparing Guppy vs Endler
A-Z-Animals.com
| Endler | Guppy | |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative Names | Endler’s livebearer Species – Poecilia wingei |
Rainbow fish, millionfish Species – Poecilia reticulata |
| Origin | Paria Peninsula, Venezuela | Native to Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela. Introduced to countries on every continent except Antarctica |
| Habitat | Shallow lagoons and streams | Slow-moving rivers and streams with plenty of vegetation |
| Size | Male – up to 1 inch Female – up to 1.8 inches |
Male – 0.6 to 1.4 inches Female – 1.2 to 2.4 inches |
| Color | Females – Golden grey body, translucent caudal peduncle, little to no color on tail Males – Set patterns in orange, black, blue, and green |
Females – Grey Males – Spots, stripes & blotches in almost any color |
| Body Shape | Slim | Stocky |
| Tail | Male – Has a long spike on the end Female – Small and transparent |
Male – Rounded and various lengths Female – Shorter than the males with only a slight amount of color |
| Gravid Spot (females) | Small and doesn’t extend far up the flank | Large and extends up the flanks |
| Gonopodium (males) | One hook | Several hooks |
| Reproduction | Up to 15 young | Up to 30 young |
The Key Differences Between Endlers and Guppies
The key differences between Endlers and guppies include size, body shape, color, reproduction, origin, and gravid spot.
These differences are explained in detail below.
Endler vs Guppy: Size
Nantawat Chotsuwan/Shutterstock.com
One of the main differences between Endlers and guppies is the difference between their sizes. Both fish exhibit sexual dimorphism with the females being larger than the males, but in both cases, guppies are larger than Endlers. Male Endlers reach lengths of up to 1 inch long while females reach 1.8 inches. Male guppies are 0.6 to 1.4 inches long, while females are much larger between 1.2 and 2.4 inches.
Endler vs Guppy: Color
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The appearance of guppies and Endlers varies widely and the males are a bright and vibrant range of colors. Both female guppies and Endlers tend to look fairly similar. Female guppies are a fairly drab grey color, and female Endlers are a golden grey color with a translucent caudal peduncle and very little color on their tail.
However, the main differences are between the males. Male guppies can be virtually any color which can be in an arrangement of spots, stripes, or blotches. Male Endlers have intense, vibrant colors – usually orange, black, blue, and green distinctive color blocks.
Endler vs Guppy: Body Shape
The body shape of Endlers and guppies is also noticeably different. As well as being larger than Endlers, guppies have stocky bodies compared to Endlers’ slim and streamlined bodies. This body shape is most noticeable in the area where the body meets the tail.
Endler vs Guppy: Tail
iStock.com/andriy romagnoli revenko
Another incredibly noticeable difference between these two stunning species of fish is their tails, and again these even differ between the males and the females. For a start, male guppies have a tail that is distinctly rounded in appearance, even though the length itself can vary widely. Female guppies also have a rounded tail, but it is usually shorter than the males’ and has very little color on it.
Female Endlers have small and transparent tails whereas the males are much more exotic looking. The tail of a male Endler often appears to look as though it is actually two smaller fins, with the lower part being much longer and looking like a spike.
Endler vs Guppy: Gravid Spot
The gravid spot is an unusual feature that is only found on female fish which bear live young. It is a dark spot on the skin of the female fish over her womb. In the case of guppies and Endlers, the gravid spot is much bigger on guppies. On guppies, the gravid spot is quite large and extends up towards the flanks. However, on Endlers, it is much smaller and doesn’t extend as far up to the flanks.
Endler vs Guppy: Gonopodium
Grigorev Mikhail/Shutterstock.com
Another unique difference between Endlers and guppies is the appearance of the gonopodium on the males. The gonopodium is a modified anal fin that is used as a copulatory organ to inseminate the females. The gonopodium on an Endler has a single hook with a pointed end. However, a guppy’s gonopodium has several hooks on it and a rounded end.
Endler vs Guppy: Reproduction
Both Endlers and guppies are collectively known as live-bearing fish in that they give birth to live young – hence the alternative name of Endlers – Endler’s livebearer. However, there is actually some debate as to just which type of live-bearing fish they are – ovoviviparous or viviparous. Despite this, these fish have completely different brood sizes. Endlers give birth to up to 15 live young, but guppies give birth to up to 30! Incredibly, they are only 0.2 inches long when they are born! Despite this, they are fully formed and are able to swim of their own accord straight away. Both Endlers and guppies can reproduce approximately once a month.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are endlers and guppies from the same family group?
Yes, endlers and guppies are both from the Poecillidae family group which consists of many other small freshwater fish suitable for aquariums. Other members include platys, mollys, and swordtails.
Can endlers and guppies reproduce with each other?
Yes, endlers and guppies often breed with guppies to create hybrid offspring known as Endler’s guppies.
More from A-Z Animals
Endlers and guppies are both small freshwater fish that are known for their bright and stunning colors. They are extremely adaptable and thrive in many different conditions – something that makes them among the most popular aquarium species in the world. Although the appearance of the males and females differ, Endlers and guppies actually look incredibly similar. Despite this, there are a few key differences between them that make identifying them easier. So join us as we learn everything there is to know about Endler vs guppy!
Comparing Guppy vs Endler
A-Z-Animals.com
| Endler | Guppy | |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative Names | Endler’s livebearer Species – Poecilia wingei |
Rainbow fish, millionfish Species – Poecilia reticulata |
| Origin | Paria Peninsula, Venezuela | Native to Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela. Introduced to countries on every continent except Antarctica |
| Habitat | Shallow lagoons and streams | Slow-moving rivers and streams with plenty of vegetation |
| Size | Male – up to 1 inch Female – up to 1.8 inches |
Male – 0.6 to 1.4 inches Female – 1.2 to 2.4 inches |
| Color | Females – Golden grey body, translucent caudal peduncle, little to no color on tail Males – Set patterns in orange, black, blue, and green |
Females – Grey Males – Spots, stripes & blotches in almost any color |
| Body Shape | Slim | Stocky |
| Tail | Male – Has a long spike on the end Female – Small and transparent |
Male – Rounded and various lengths Female – Shorter than the males with only a slight amount of color |
| Gravid Spot (females) | Small and doesn’t extend far up the flank | Large and extends up the flanks |
| Gonopodium (males) | One hook | Several hooks |
| Reproduction | Up to 15 young | Up to 30 young |
The Key Differences Between Endlers and Guppies
The key differences between Endlers and guppies include size, body shape, color, reproduction, origin, and gravid spot.
These differences are explained in detail below.
Endler vs Guppy: Size
Nantawat Chotsuwan/Shutterstock.com
One of the main differences between Endlers and guppies is the difference between their sizes. Both fish exhibit sexual dimorphism with the females being larger than the males, but in both cases, guppies are larger than Endlers. Male Endlers reach lengths of up to 1 inch long while females reach 1.8 inches. Male guppies are 0.6 to 1.4 inches long, while females are much larger between 1.2 and 2.4 inches.
Endler vs Guppy: Color
iStock.com/artas
The appearance of guppies and Endlers varies widely and the males are a bright and vibrant range of colors. Both female guppies and Endlers tend to look fairly similar. Female guppies are a fairly drab grey color, and female Endlers are a golden grey color with a translucent caudal peduncle and very little color on their tail.
However, the main differences are between the males. Male guppies can be virtually any color which can be in an arrangement of spots, stripes, or blotches. Male Endlers have intense, vibrant colors – usually orange, black, blue, and green distinctive color blocks.
Endler vs Guppy: Body Shape
The body shape of Endlers and guppies is also noticeably different. As well as being larger than Endlers, guppies have stocky bodies compared to Endlers’ slim and streamlined bodies. This body shape is most noticeable in the area where the body meets the tail.
Endler vs Guppy: Tail
iStock.com/andriy romagnoli revenko
Another incredibly noticeable difference between these two stunning species of fish is their tails, and again these even differ between the males and the females. For a start, male guppies have a tail that is distinctly rounded in appearance, even though the length itself can vary widely. Female guppies also have a rounded tail, but it is usually shorter than the males’ and has very little color on it.
Female Endlers have small and transparent tails whereas the males are much more exotic looking. The tail of a male Endler often appears to look as though it is actually two smaller fins, with the lower part being much longer and looking like a spike.
Endler vs Guppy: Gravid Spot
The gravid spot is an unusual feature that is only found on female fish which bear live young. It is a dark spot on the skin of the female fish over her womb. In the case of guppies and Endlers, the gravid spot is much bigger on guppies. On guppies, the gravid spot is quite large and extends up towards the flanks. However, on Endlers, it is much smaller and doesn’t extend as far up to the flanks.
Endler vs Guppy: Gonopodium
Grigorev Mikhail/Shutterstock.com
Another unique difference between Endlers and guppies is the appearance of the gonopodium on the males. The gonopodium is a modified anal fin that is used as a copulatory organ to inseminate the females. The gonopodium on an Endler has a single hook with a pointed end. However, a guppy’s gonopodium has several hooks on it and a rounded end.
Endler vs Guppy: Reproduction
Both Endlers and guppies are collectively known as live-bearing fish in that they give birth to live young – hence the alternative name of Endlers – Endler’s livebearer. However, there is actually some debate as to just which type of live-bearing fish they are – ovoviviparous or viviparous. Despite this, these fish have completely different brood sizes. Endlers give birth to up to 15 live young, but guppies give birth to up to 30! Incredibly, they are only 0.2 inches long when they are born! Despite this, they are fully formed and are able to swim of their own accord straight away. Both Endlers and guppies can reproduce approximately once a month.