GYMNOGEOPHAGUS, To Cool or not to Cool?

[Savier808]

I've read that all gymnogeophagus species require a cool down period
of about 2-3 months at about 60F.

Supposedly, foregoing the cool down shortens the lifespan of the fish...

Has anyone kept any gymnogeos without the cool down period?

I want to keep them with a bichir or two and those do best around 80F.

 

[fishfarm]

The cool down period is really only nessesary if you want to bred them. They do fine at tropical temps. Ken

 

[japes]

I'd argue that breeding fish are happier and healthier fish, so the cooling period, in my eyes, would definitely be necessary.

 

[dogofwar]

I'd be more concerned with the Bichir eating the Gymnos than the cool down (or lack thereof).

I've kept a couple of extra lone male Gymnos at tropical temps for a couple of years and they're thriving.

Matt

I've read that all gymnogeophagus species require a cool down period
of about 2-3 months at about 60F.

Supposedly, foregoing the cool down shortens the lifespan of the fish...

Has anyone kept any gymnogeos without the cool down period?

I want to keep them with a bichir or two and those do best around 80F.

 

[HiImSean]

a bichir wouldn't do well in a cool down period. im keeping my gymnos at 76-78 right now and plan to let it drop in the mid to low 60s during the winter. plus as DOW said, i'd be afraid of my bichir eating one of them

 

[darth pike]

I believe both Gymnogephagus gymnogenys and Gymnogeophagus labiatus were both prone to bloat before the cool down period was 'discovered.'

 

[abarilot]

I wouldnt risk the gymnos with bichirs, they'd just become expensive feeders

 

[Sab_Fan]

I'm keeping my gymnos at 73-75 right now, and will try to get the tank down into the 60s this winter . . . I'm not necessarily trying to breed them, but it sounds like it is something that may be beneficial, so I see no harm in trying it

 

[jgentry]

I believe both Gymnogephagus gymnogenys and Gymnogeophagus labiatus were both prone to bloat before the cool down period was 'discovered.'

Never heard of that before. I have had several for a while and had no issues. Granted I don't keep them at 80 all year. They go on the bottom rack in the fishroom in the winter and outside in the summer. Never had an issue.

I would think bloat would be more of a feeding issue then a cool down issue. Could be wrong though. I have always thought all of these fish were tough as nails. It seems pretty darn hard to kill them.

 

[darth pike]

This would have been pre90's or so. I have an article on them from either 92 or 93 saying that when kept at the 80's + year 'round, those two species had troubles. It mentioned one of the first breedings of labiatus happened when John O'Malley kept them on the bottom tank in the fish room and the temps were in the low 70's.

Most of my resources are in storage, otherwise I'd site the article to track down. It did mention both balzani and rhabdotus being impossible to kill though.