I have an outdoor pond and I live in Al which has cold temperatures, Im thinking of an experiment. I’ll try Pleco since they arent very expensive and dont live in coldwater. If i am able to lower a temperature of my aquarium by 1 degree every 2 weeks will it eventually be able to live in cold water. After a long period of time?
Outdoor pond Idea
- Thread starter Eric&
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How cold are you wanting it to be?
From my experience once the temp hits 50F they die. Around 60-55F they are extremely sluggish and stop eating.
I’ve kept multiple plecos in ponds up north here in the summer once the water is 70F or so.
From my experience once the temp hits 50F they die. Around 60-55F they are extremely sluggish and stop eating.
I’ve kept multiple plecos in ponds up north here in the summer once the water is 70F or so.
If you were to get Plecos endemic to Uruguay, or Argentina you might have a chance at success.
Waters there, can ice over slightly in winter, in these more temperate areas, so the Plecos have adapted to colder temps, might(?) survive your winter.
But trying to acclimate the northern (tropical ares of S America) variants, all will most likely end up dead.
Uruguayan cichlids are the same, I have kept them in ponds in Wisconsin spring summer and fall, (not in winter because my pond froze solid to the bottom) where my water temps dropped into the high 40'sF, and they did well, some need the cool down to stay healthy..
Waters there, can ice over slightly in winter, in these more temperate areas, so the Plecos have adapted to colder temps, might(?) survive your winter.
But trying to acclimate the northern (tropical ares of S America) variants, all will most likely end up dead.
Uruguayan cichlids are the same, I have kept them in ponds in Wisconsin spring summer and fall, (not in winter because my pond froze solid to the bottom) where my water temps dropped into the high 40'sF, and they did well, some need the cool down to stay healthy..
you could always see what is living in your local lakes, ponds and estuaries if you insist on having a pond! good luck!!!!!!!!!