Wintering Tropical Fish

[Duke3d]

m just about to go to bed, walking the dog to her kennel when the cold strikes me. I get to thinking how its a natural part of nature and plants and animals all do something with a change of season.

SO what about tropical fish? Do people see a possible benefit to lowering their tanks over winter - I know certain fish like a lower temp to lay eggs etc. But just for general well being do you think the fish should go through a winter cycle like they would in the wild - and by how much. 2-4 degrees over a couple of weeks perhaps??

I did a quick search on net and didn't come up with anything apart from goldfish and ponds, but didn't look for long. I have heard of people reducing their thermostat because of electricity bills.

Anyway just interested to read some of your thoughts. Ill see what I come up with while asleep!!!!

Sad sad life!

[Ira]

I don't think i've ever heard of a fish that likes laying eggs in colder weather, all I can think of prefer higher if anything.

[jude]

I don;t think the tropics has a winter - just a rainy season ........... and I don't think you could make the fish wetter :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cheers

Jude

[Ira]

It does get cooler though. A little bit. Depending on where, but generally it only gets a lot cooler in the spring from the rain.

[jude]

Yep, I guess it does ......... marginally.

I lived in Singapore for two years and can't say I ever got any respite from the heat unless it rained, and that was only brief.

I remember reading that many plants, like roses, have a much shorter lifespan in the tropics because they don't get a hibernation period in winter. But they don't naturally occur there either .......... and tropical fish do.

And I should be in bed .............. work tomorrow

Cheers

Jude (who loves the way talking about fish can spawn some really interesting topics)

[Caryl]

My tropical tank sits at 22C anyway (except in summer when the room temp can raise it to 28 - 30C). Not sure that 2 - 4C would be that much of a difference when you think the daily temp changes by more than that over a 12 hour period.

[suphew]

There are lots of fish that lay when there is a drop in temp. My WCMM's used (they are out side in the pond now) to drop eggs every time I did a water change cause I added cold water.

The reason is that in the natural environment they lay when it rains which of course quickly drops the water temperture.

[jude]

That makes sense, my golden barbs do the same thing. But, as in nature, that lowering of temperature is only for a short time. I don't know how the fish would cope with a long term reduction

Cheers

Jude

[livebearer_breeder]

Corydoras aswell.

Shae

[Duke3d]

So it is agreed that even in the tropics water temp would drop by "a couple" of degrees. I wonder if this would be worth putting in to practise - while a couple of degrees does not sound much, it would make some species a lot less active which may give them the much needed rest they naturally require.