I've been growing out some dimerus fry and juvies in a couple of tanks. Over the winter I've been keeping them in the 50s and 60s...now that it's warming up, growth is amazing and they're constantly begging for food.
Bella Union Tank
- Thread starter FishKing5
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I have found the kind of same thing dogofwar speaks of, to happen. I believe the changes in temps in both directions is needed. The cool somehow seems to allow rest and revitalization, and then the warmth to spur growth. Years ago (before realizing these were temperate species, and needed a cool down) when I tried to keep these at typical tropical, (constant temps), they seemed lackluster, and growth nonexistent.
After changing to a seasonal change routine, colors deepened, growth spurts observed,and regular spawning occurred. Everything from Australoheros, Gymnogeophaus.
After changing to a seasonal change routine, colors deepened, growth spurts observed,and regular spawning occurred. Everything from Australoheros, Gymnogeophaus.
What kind of schedule do you use for the temperature changes? I live in Ohio and was thinking about just using a heater at all and letting the temp fluctuate naturally with our seasons.
I don't heat tanks with Uruguayan fish so they follow the ambient temperature. I also do cold water changes (after the hot water runs out) on Uruguayan fish in the winter.
Matt
Matt
Good! I will just ditch the heater altogether. My concern was that if the temperature moved throughout a normal day that it might be a problem, but it sounds like that wouldn't be.
Maybe this is why I'm not getting the growth I would have expected with my Gymnogeos.
Yes - they will not do well long term if they don't get a cool down.
Also, they are slow growing fish...and seem slower growing than others because they tend to grow in season spurts (vs. consisently). It takes a good 3-4 years to go from a 1" fish to the full-sized show fish you see in pictures. Enjoy the journey!
Matt
Also, they are slow growing fish...and seem slower growing than others because they tend to grow in season spurts (vs. consisently). It takes a good 3-4 years to go from a 1" fish to the full-sized show fish you see in pictures. Enjoy the journey!
Matt
I'll be doing a cool down for these fish come next winter. I got them this December and were being raised in heated tanks from Ken Davis so I kept it that way for now. The growth has been great with these fish in my heated tank. I have now turned the heat down to the mid 70s instead of 81. I'll end up unplugging the heater all together after this final week of the winter cold here in Minnesota to let them just live in room temp.
I use the same method as dogofwar. No heaters at all in Uruguayan tanks.
For those I kept in ponds in summer, I moved to a kiddy pool in an unheated basement in winter, where the temp would drop into the 50sF, and also where I'd overwinter koi and water lilies. In the coldest months(Jan and Feb), no feeding at all until the spring warmup.
For those I kept in ponds in summer, I moved to a kiddy pool in an unheated basement in winter, where the temp would drop into the 50sF, and also where I'd overwinter koi and water lilies. In the coldest months(Jan and Feb), no feeding at all until the spring warmup.
