Beani ideal temp

[Jc1119]

Just like the title says, whats the ideal temps for these guys? Ive heard everything from mid to high 60's to high 70's. Reason I ask is, I'm picking up the group tomorrow and the tank they are going in sits right at about 67-68 and with the cold front coming back that could drop a few degrees as well. The tanks could sit around 65 for a bit but I'm not sure if thats too cold.

Thanks in advance!

 

[notho2000]

In nature, there is no ideal temperature since in their natural habitat (Mazatlan area) the yearly temperature range is quite variable. In the winter months the average is 77/58 and the summer 90/77. These are daytime highs followed by night time lows. In an aquarium, cooler is best. I've been keeping mine at 68 - 75 F. Higher temperatures seem to create stress in the fish and subsequently, problems (hunger strike, lethargy, bloat). There is no problem with the range of temperatures you will be providing. Also cooler temperatures will keep the aggression down.

 

[Jc1119]

In nature, there is no ideal temperature since in their natural habitat (Mazatlan area) the yearly temperature range is quite variable. In the winter months the average is 77/58 and the summer 90/77. These are daytime highs followed by night time lows. In an aquarium, cooler is best. I've been keeping mine at 68 - 75 F. Higher temperatures seem to create stress in the fish and subsequently, problems (hunger strike, lethargy, bloat). There is no problem with the range of temperatures you will be providing. Also cooler temperatures will keep the aggression down.

Perfect. Thats what I was hoping. The permanent system they will move to this summer sits right between 73-75 so thats the highest temps they would ever see. Once that tank on on the drip, I'll be able to push it down to around 70-72 without a chiller.

Thanks for the info!

 

[dogofwar]

Jim - your were out in your pond until the water temps were down into the upper 50s, correct?

Wouldn't worry a minute about these guys at 65F.

I don't heat any of the Central American or Uruguayan tanks in my fishroom (or goodeids or most other tanks for that matter).

The tanks on the floor of my basement on an exterior wall dipped down to 54F during the cold snap a couple of weeks ago. Th Gymnogeos, Chanchitos and pikes in the tank were doing great...as was a female Lago Coatepeque Convict that somehow found its way from the tank above it last year!

Matt

 

[Jc1119]

Cool. Thanks Matt. Just want to set this up to succeed and bloat seems to be the biggest hurdle, and seems to be stress related, not diet,

The 5' 120 will be the grow out for the 4 (1m 3f) because its there coldest, sees the most clean water (50% daily) and sees the least traffic. If I can get them up to size and or pair them, they'll move to the 135 until I see aggression issues. At that point they may move to the 210 or 300 as a solo pair. I'll have to move the festae but they don't seem to require nearly as much space as these guys demand. Be kinda cool to see how they would fair in the 300.........

 

[duanes]

Agree with Jim and Matt.
Started a group in temps of around 68, and that;s the temp they spawned at.
I also kept mine in the pond this summer, where water temps dipped to around 50'F.
The only time I had trouble with disease was when I got my first adult pair, and a summer heatwave took their tank up into the high 80s.

 

[Jc1119]

Agree with Jim and Matt.
Started a group in temps of around 68, and that;s the temp they spawned at.
I also kept mine in the pond this summer, where water temps dipped to around 50'F.
The only time I had trouble with disease was when I got my first adult pair, and a summer heatwave took their tank up into the high 80s.

Yeah, seems like heat will do them in pretty quickly. I've already got 2 systems dialed in for the ornatum, which also seem to like it cooler, so they will take the old one which is pretty chilly lately 65-68.

Did I also remember reading that you guys feed very sparingly if at all?

 

[notho2000]

I found they did best for me with several light feedings a day of pellets, lower in animal protein with a good component of vegetative (spirulina) content. It's important not to overfeed.
Jim

 

[Jc1119]

I found they did best for me with several light feedings a day of pellets, lower in animal protein with a good component of vegetative (spirulina) content. It's important not to overfeed.
Jim

Great info. Ill definitely be feeding very lightly. Any preferred food or just anything that focuses on veggies?

 

[notho2000]

Great info. Ill definitely be feeding very lightly. Any preferred food or just anything that focuses on veggies?

Just any good quality spirulina based pellet. Not to say that a shrimp based pellet is out of the question. A bit of variety doesn't hurt now and then. Mine also loved cooked peas (outer membrane removed). They are a laxative of sorts so once a week, a few of those would be recommended.