75 gallon question

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duanes said:
I agree with Stanzzz7 about the Gymnos, I have kept about half dozen species from that genus, and they seldom reach max lengths of more than 7". I consider 7.5" adult size fish to be the max size fish, for a 75 gal tank. In a 75 gal you might be able to keep 2 males and 4 females. They usually do best in harem type groups with lots of females and few males. And you won't need a heater, in fact I believe for this genus, heaters are detrimental
male Gy yerbalito

females

mouthbrooding female with fry


male Gy sp Paso Pache

male balzani
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I read about the 2F for every male but NO HEATER????!!! My fish room goes down to 54F in the winter!!!!
 
It's in their best interests to have a cool period in the winter.
There are quite a few species that will do well without a heater.
Even my thorichthys helleri tank has no heater.
I have seen the thermometer at 68 and at its warmest 80 with around 72 to 74 being the norm.
Lots of pleco species like it on the cooler side.
I often see rubber nosed plecs kept in tanks containing species that like it warm when really they are best in cool fast flowing water.
Lots of barb species also do well without heaters as do many other hillstream species.
 
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Def Leppard Hysteria said:
Gymnogeophagus will burn out in time if you don't provide them a "cooling" period annually.

http://www.tfhmagazine.com/details/...e-glittering-eartheaters-of-the-far-south.htm
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Burn out, what do you mean by this?? Also, she is only about 2-2.5" long, wouldn't that be something for once they are mature, like in reptiles?
Stanzzzz7 said:
It's in their best interests to have a cool period in the winter.
There are quite a few species that will do well without a heater.
Even my thorichthys helleri tank has no heater.
I have seen the thermometer at 68 and at its warmest 80 with around 72 to 74 being the norm.
Lots of pleco species like it on the cooler side.
I often see rubber nosed plecs kept in tanks containing species that like it warm when really they are best in cool fast flowing water.
Lots of barb species also do well without heaters as do many other hillstream species.
Click to expand...
So my Gymnogeophagus Balzanii can drop down to 50F and not die????? and my Rubberlip too?
 
Frank Castle said:
Burn out, what do you mean by this?? Also, she is only about 2-2.5" long, wouldn't that be something for once they are mature, like in reptiles?

So my Gymnogeophagus Balzanii can drop down to 50F and not die????? and my Rubberlip too?
Click to expand...

One of the reasons I didn't go with Gymnogeophagus in our 300 gallon South American community tank. I knew I couldn't provide the fish with the necessary cool period that they need to live a healthy, full lifespan.

http://www.biotopeone.com/gymnogeophagus-in-the-unheated-aquarium/
 
Def Leppard Hysteria said:
One of the reasons I didn't go with Gymnogeophagus in our 300 gallon South American community tank. I knew I couldn't provide the fish with the necessary cool period that they need to live a healthy, full lifespan.

http://www.biotopeone.com/gymnogeophagus-in-the-unheated-aquarium/
Click to expand...
I just read that whole article you posted and it told me 77F-82F for Balzanii for spawning and nothing delved into the tolerable lows at all aside from saying they are the Northern-most distribution of Gynmogeos, so I'm still a little skeptical ......


or naïve, depending on the actual answer LOL!
 
Frank Castle said:
I just read that whole article you posted and it told me 77F-82F for Balzanii for spawning and nothing delved into the tolerable lows at all aside from saying they are the Northern-most distribution of Gynmogeos, so I'm still a little skeptical ......


or naïve, depending on the actual answer LOL!
Click to expand...

Let me help you with that....

"
These fish are almost all suitable for maintaining and breeding in an unheated aquarium. their usual range is from 60 degrees to 77 degrees. These fish can tolerate temperatures between 46 and 86 degrees F. In their natural locations the temperature varies similarly and the fish need this natural variation seasonally to remain healthy. The winter temperatures of these fish in their natural ranges are can be 46 to 61 degrees. G. balzani populations do occur much deeper into to Brazil and they will need slightly warmer temperatures.

I have kept at least 5 species, and found if kept at tropical temps all year round, they become prone to disease and fungal infections. So I started putting Gymno gymnogenys “yerbalito” in my unheated basement in the winter. Temperatures would dip into low 50s and high 40s F. When they came out in spring they’d color up very brightly, and spawn almost immediately. – Duane Stuermer

During the summer these fish can tolerate water as high as 86 degrees without problems. The winter cooling period is not only normal but is needed. When kept year round at higher tropical temps like most keep heated tanks, they tend to get disease. They need a winter rest. In the unheated tank or basement they are treated to a winter break of 60 degrees for 2 or 3 months. This is a normal cycle for them and helps keep them healthy and also primes them for spawning."
 
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