Cold water's effect on cichlids?

[Aweshade9]

I keep my Jack Dempseys in 70-72(21-22 Celsius) degree water. The reason is my male was incredibly aggressive, and cool water is the only option that worked. Now that he has calmed down (like two months ago) and I never put the heater back in. I want to know what are the bad things of cool water. I got some pros , but no serious cons.
Pros
1. They eat less.
2. They poop less.
3. They won't breed, which is good for me because I have nothing to do with the fry.
Con
1. They won't grow as fast.

 

[Aweshade9]

I know there was a thread about cold water cichlids, but it didn't detail the cons of it.

 

[Aweshade9]

bump

 

[Aquanero]

To answer your question in general terms, long term exposure to water cooler than what a species has evolved in, will eventually weaken and compromise their immune systems and also adversely affect and shut down their nervous system. In other words it will slowly kill them over time depending on the temperature.

For your JD, 70-72 seems alittle cool to me for long term. Mid 70's would be better IMO.

 

[Aweshade9]

Thank you, heater will be back in!