Why hands make terrible thermometers...

[TwoHedWlf]

I wouldn't have thought 30° would make a difference in behavior. I've accidentally heated my tank up to that during water changes and didn't notice anything. And gone down to around 22° and they didn't behave differently. That's uhh...87°hogsheads and 71°Hogsheads respectively. Not ideal though. I usually get within a degree or two just by feeling the tap as I fill, but still check the temp occasionally while filling to make sure it's not too far off.

 

[FINWIN]

I wouldn't have thought 30° would make a difference in behavior. I've accidentally heated my tank up to that during water changes and didn't notice anything. And gone down to around 22° and they didn't behave differently. That's uhh...87°hogsheads and 71°Hogsheads respectively. Not ideal though. I usually get within a degree or two just by feeling the tap as I fill, but still check the temp occasionally while filling to make sure it's not too far off.

Aggression definitely can escalate as temps climb. I generally prefer 80-81 as tropical temps that don't cause oxygen / bacteria issues long term. Although I have lots of aeration which helps. My fish are on the aggressive side anyway, and once temps go well above 82 it's non stop fighting. In fact they'll fight before they eat when the water's too warm. Add to that minor injuries cichlids are known for, hot temps can encourage infection.

 

[FINWIN]

Good thing it was warmer and not cold like 55° or lower.

I would have pitched an unholy fit.