Endlers vs. Guppies: Which is Hardier? (The Unbreakable Fish)

You are at the fish shop.

Tank A has “Fancy Guppies”—big flowing tails, solid colors, moving slowly.

Tank B has “Endlers”—tiny, neon-colored torpedoes zipping around like they drank too much coffee.

They look similar. They are actually cousins (Poecilia reticulata vs. Poecilia wingei).

But if you are asking “Which one is easier to keep alive?”, there is a clear winner.

The Hardiness Test: The “Poodle” vs. The “Street Dog”

Think of a high-grade Fancy Guppy like a prize-winning Poodle. It has been bred for looks (big tail, specific color), not for health. Because of inbreeding, they have weaker immune systems. If the water gets dirty or the temperature swings, they get sick.

Think of an Endler like a Malaysian “Street Dog.”

They are closer to their wild ancestors. They haven’t been messed with as much by humans.

• Disease Resistance: Endlers rarely get “Fin Rot” or “Shimmy.”
• Water Tolerance: They can handle pH swings and “dirty” water much better than fancy guppies.
• Activity: They don’t have heavy, long tails dragging them down, so they don’t get exhausted.

Winner: Endlers (By a mile).

Size & Temperament: The “Nano” King

• Guppies: Males are about 3–4 cm. Their long tails make them slow swimmers. They can get bullied by Tiger Barbs or Bettas.
• Endlers: Males are tiny (2 cm max). Females are larger (silver/grey). Because they are small and fast, they are perfect for Nano Tanks (even 2–3 gallons).

The “Baby Eater” Difference:

Here is a secret behavior difference.

Fancy Guppies are notorious for eating their own babies.

Endlers rarely eat their fry. If you keep a colony of Endlers in a planted tank, the population will explode because the parents actually leave the kids alone.

The “Trap”: Avoid The Hybrid

Be careful in the shop.

Because Endlers and Guppies are cousins, they can breed with each other.

Many shops sell “Endler Guppies” (Hybrids).

• Pure Endlers (Class N): Look like wild neon signs. Very distinct patterns.
• Hybrids (Class K): Look like small guppies with bigger tails.
• Why it matters: If you put Endlers and Guppies in the same tank, they will crossbreed. You will lose the “pure” genetics of both. The babies will be healthy, but they will look like a mix.
• Shop Guy Rule: Keep them in separate tanks if you want to sell the babies later.

Which One Should You Buy?

Choose Fancy Guppies If:

• You want a “Centerpiece” fish that moves slowly and shows off color.
• You have a larger tank (10+ gallons) with good filtration.
• You are willing to do regular water changes.

Choose Endlers If:

• You are a total beginner and afraid of killing fish.
• You have a tiny desk tank or a planted bowl.
• You want a “Set and Forget” colony that breeds automatically.
• You want a fish for an outdoor mosquito pot (Endlers are faster than guppies and escape dragonflies better).

Summary Comparison Table

Closing Thought

If you want Art, buy a Fancy Guppy.

If you want Life, buy an Endler.

For a beginner in Malaysia just starting out with a small tank, Endlers are the best investment. They are colorful, active, and almost impossible to kill.