Un heated tank

[Cody1382]

I want to set up a long outdoors riparium set up outdoors but still undercover.
It does get pretty cold being in the colder end of a temperate zone.
I head there are some earth eaters that actually do better in an unheated tank.
Are there any cichlids that dont mind a bit of a chill. I imagine alot of south america gets pretty bloody cold.
Anyone ever set up a cold or lower temp cichlid tank?

 

[Blue Bear]

How low are we talking?

 

[numbah84]

Gymnogeophagus are the cold water genus you are thinking of. However, I believe that species don't grow that large and might be hard to really admire in a pond.

 

[vinod_uthaiah]

How cold and how many months of cold temperatures are we speaking about.....
If anything longer and very cold then...
I still suggest you might want to have a heater in there.....

 

[Cody1382]

Often down to zero but not in a pond a wall tank in the oudside entertaining area. It dosnt snow but under cover it would possibly around the 2 or 3 degrees at its lowest. A heater to bump it up a few extra degrees is possible

 

[vinod_uthaiah]

Often down to zero but not in a pond a wall tank in the oudside entertaining area. It dosnt snow but under cover it would possibly around the 2 or 3 degrees at its lowest. A heater to bump it up a few extra degrees is possible

Oh yes , heater is mandatory...i have a tank in the open and the lowest it gets is 20 degrees and I have a heater to keep it warm....very low temperatures can reduce metabolism and can make your fish lethargic

 

[jaws7777]

Red ceibals are temperate fish but wouldnt the water freeze at temps that low ?

 

[duanes]

I have kept Uruguayan cichlids of the genera Gymnogeophagus and Australoheros species in my ponds May thru Oct in Wisconsin, and water temps have dropped into the high 40sF without a problem.
Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys location yerbalito

Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys location Paso Pache

Austrloheros sp red ceibal

 

[Cody1382]

Bit tricky to get hold of in australia. Think ill just fill it with mexican walking fish.