Stinkpot in unheated tank

[davdev]

I was wondering if it is possible to keep a stinkpot in an unheated tank? I want to add one to my sunfish tank, but the sunfish don't like warm temps. Their water stays in the upper 60's.

I know the recomendation is high 70's for stinkpots, but I also know they are native to New England, where very few lakes or ponds reach that temp, and if they do it is only for a few weeks in the peak of summer.

Also, do you think wild caught would fare better than from a breeder? I would prefer from a breeder, but I know most of those strains tend to be Southern and less used to cold water

 

[methos75]

I have a Northern Stink Pot and when my tank got down under 70 due to a bad Heater, it didn't do well at all

 

[bdevilcasey]

Mine doesnt do very well under 70* either. I keep him at around 78* or as close to as possible.

 

[davdev]

Ok, guess that answers it.

Thanks

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I keep my pair's water temp in the mid-high 70's. Anything below that and they become sluggish.


I can guarantee you that the water in the shallows around the lakes up by you easily reach the 80's in the summer. There are thermal gradients in all bodies of water. Shallow surface water will always be warmer than deep sections and in the wild musk turtles can choose where they want to be in the water column. This is something that you sort of have to duplicate in captivity. And I can assure you that sunnies can easily survive water temps in the mid to high 70's.

 

[methos75]

I keep Sunfish with my AST and the water temp is always between 75-83 degrees depending on the time of the day, they thrive in there

 

[HPIZZLE]

I was wondering if it is possible to keep a stinkpot in an unheated tank? I want to add one to my sunfish tank, but the sunfish don't like warm temps. Their water stays in the upper 60's.

I know the recomendation is high 70's for stinkpots, but I also know they are native to New England, where very few lakes or ponds reach that temp, and if they do it is only for a few weeks in the peak of summer.

Also, do you think wild caught would fare better than from a breeder? I would prefer from a breeder, but I know most of those strains tend to be Southern and less used to cold water

that first bit is untrue. your sunfish will absolutley thrive at those higher temperatures. they prefer it.

 

[davdev]

that first bit is untrue. your sunfish will absolutley thrive at those higher temperatures. they prefer it.

Maybe some species, but I have wild caught pumpkinseeds, and they absolutely will not thrive in higher temps. Everything I have ever read suggests that even temps held at 75 degrees for a sustain period of time can be fatal. I had a heater in the tank when I first started and I lost all of them. Since I have removed the heaters I haven't lost any. Even if non-fatal the higher temps makes the P-seeds highly agressive, at cooler temps, everyone gets along much better.

I still want the stinkpot, but I will probably just get him his own 40 gallon tank and put in some minnows with him