Keeping earth eaters outside in cold temperate climate?

[AFRO-thunder]

Hey guys,

I have read an interesting newsletter a few days ago. An article on Geophagus brasiliensis said that they can be kept outside in the pond during the summer in Germany and Austria which are cold temperate climate countries. That means that during the summer we mostly have between 20 - 35°C, but the temps can go down to 15°C if there's bad weather for some time.

Has anybody here have experience with keeping brasiliensis under those conditions?

 

[bunty82]

Well i dont know about the last degree temperature that any fish can resist.
but i do want to know what is the lowest temp a cichlid can survive. without getting ill

 

[duanes]

I have kept G braziliensus outside, May thru early Oct in Milwaukee WI USA in the pond, and they spawned. A few that I missed perished in early November when daytime temps dropped into the 40s F.
Gymnogeophagus were able to take lower temps and faired better and longer, but my pond usually ices over in late November, so just to be safe I bring them in.

 

[AFRO-thunder]

Hi Duanes,

Thanks for your input! Did the pond-Geophagus look better than the ones from the Aquarium? I always hear that guppys look way better when they are kept outside.

 

[duanes]

Yes I believe the sun and the availability of algae helped the color, they seemed to be constantly grazing.
although these shots are not very good, you can see the buildup of hair algae

 

[ktluvsfish]

That's really interesting. Would I be able to keep a small group of gymnos in an outdoor 55 gallon tub pond? I am getting bored with my goldfish and I am thinking that gymnos would be much more interesting. Since I'm in San Diego, the temperatures outdoors are very moderate and never get close to freezing in the winter.

 

[fishfarm]

It gets below freezing in Uruguay and Gymnos can take water temps down into the 40's, so they would be fine in San Diego. Ken

 

[abarilot]

I agree with Ken. They'll be fine unless you live in Julian or somewhere in the SD mountains.