More CW species than I thought!

**Rue** · 06-10-2007, 05:10 PM

I dunno...I know that they can do fine at room temp., but I can't imagine them thriving at 64F...

I know there was an office tank at work that was below 70F during the winter and the guppies weren't doing well...so they bought a heater and everything was fine after that...

**Fishguy2727** · 06-10-2007, 09:37 PM

In most cases the extreme end of the temp range will not allow them to thrive. It is a range of tolerance, not thrivability. In low temps other issues will have more of an affect on the fish than if they are in the ideal temp. In tanks that are not in optimal conditions, in ideal temps they may show no signs of a problem, but when the temp is lowered those others issues will have a more noticable impact on the fish.

**gm72** · 06-10-2007, 10:07 PM

Fishguy, I think, has it right. They might be able to tolerate the temps but wouldn't thrive or be happy about it. I mean, I suppose I COULD live in the frozen tundra of Siberia but I can guarantee you I wouldn't be terribly happy and it would effect me negatively long term.

**Fishguy2727** · 06-10-2007, 10:28 PM

Room temp is good for all the livebearers. I think the higher temps of a tropical tank and the boost in metabolism may be more negative in the long run than the initial observable benefits would lead you to believe. My platies had no complaints about room temp, bred better and actually grew bigger than any I have seen outside of a pond.

**gm72** · 06-10-2007, 10:29 PM

Room temp yes. Much below that, not a good idea.

**nanaglen2001** · 06-11-2007, 06:54 AM

It depends on what you call room temperature.

My Mollies dont like 20 Degrees Celsius, its definetly too cold for them. They may tolerate that, but its way better to keep them at least in 23 to 27 degress C water.

Endler Guppies are much hardier. I got a bunch of them on my balcony in a 95 litres "tank" without heating or filtration, only lots of plants and sunshine. Even when its cool outside (16 degrees C) they feed and look agile and healthy. But the warmer the better, thats for sure.

**willisrad** · 06-11-2007, 07:09 AM

What exactly is considered to be "cold water?"

**GoldLenny** · 06-11-2007, 01:41 PM

I think CW means anything sub-tropical and/or non-heated tanks ... at least when it comes to forums. Certainly fish like Koi and long-bodied goldfish and many other fish can thrive in water in the 50's-60'sF and colder, but I think the separate CW forums deal with everything from those temps up to non-heated tanks at room temperature... as long as the room temp isn't kept at tropical temps year round. CW fish like goldfish are usually better able to acclimate to daily fluctuating temps between day and night where tropical fish would be more likely to have stress/health issues.

**willisrad** · 06-11-2007, 03:00 PM

Got it.
That's pretty much what I figured, but I know that aquatic supply companies sell chillers, so I really didn't know what to think.

**Lady Hobbs** · 06-11-2007, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by willisrad

Got it.
That's pretty much what I figured, but I know that aquatic supply companies sell chillers, so I really didn't know what to think.

Chillers cost a fortune. I bought an air conditioner for the whole room cheaper than what it would cost for a chiller for one fish tank. Now even I can cool off.