Low temps 72 73 74 on tropical species cichlids

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Sarertnoc Kram

Sarertnoc Kram

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Apr 11, 2012
489
2
33
Las Vegas
What are the effects of low temperatures on the tank? Cichlids South American. I have since typing the topic have switched heaters on my acrylic and glass in the hopes of the weaker one still working in the acrylic since it holds heat better. The large heater is in the cichlid tank bringing it back up to the high 70s


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I've seen faster growth rates in colder temps for catfish and other large preds such as p-bass. As long as your atleast at 68-70 degrees your fish should b thriving. I rarely run heaters on any of my freshwater tanks. I even have a 1700 intex full of amazon cats with no heater. It the coldest tank in the house and the cats frenzy every time anything hits the water. not sluggish at all or drifting about as stated above.
 
i agree no fish is swimming very quickly at 60 degrees...i've seen this in koi on my sun porch during the winter lol...I didn't know how cold you were talking about. They will refuse to eat below 60 aswell...came back to life at 68 though.
 
S America is a large continent, with many temp zones. I have Gymnogeophagus, Crenicichla (pikes) and Australoheros from Uruguay that I keep in the 60s, and they are all very active at those temps. They tolerate temps in the high 40sF for a few months a year, and without the cool down tend to become susceptible to disease and a shortened lifespan. Water in their natural habitat often ices over in winter.
 
The optimal temperature for the BB is 77-86 degrees, so, e.g., at 64 degrees you will need twice as many BB to do the same task. Any temperature below 77 is therefore reducing ammonia reduction capability. At a low enough temperature (mid to high 50's IIRC), the BB will cease to perform ammonia conversion.
 
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