What is a good temp for guppies & platties

[desley]

Hi,

What should I keep my tank heater set at.

During summer the water reaches over 30 degrees (97 F) and the heater never kicks in.

Now we are starting to drop in temp at night a little (say 18 degrees - 65F) so the heater may be kicking in when we are asleep.

We will start to gradually cool down to days 22 (72 F) and nights 10 (50 F).

I have it set on 26 degrees (78.8 F) .. but wonder if my fish being in a hotter climate for most of the year would be used to higher temps.

Does it hurt to gradually turn it up towards 28 degrees (82.4 F) and leave it there all winter.

Thanks
Desley

Still trying to find out an answer from previous posts to a red patch on my white platties top fin if anyone can help. Pictures can be supplied. He is still eating, swimming, but hidding a bit when lights out and not feeeding.

 

[Dragonslair]

Keeping live bearers at high temps. shortens their lives although they are more active and breed well, I would say 30C is indeed the max they should be in, but they do equally as well at the lower temp range. (24C) I keep mine at around 25C and they thrive very well. My other fishes also enjoy the mid temps.
The red patch may well be a haemorrage within the finnage of your fish. If it does not appear to be spreading or doing any harm, I would not worry too much. The one point to remember though is that it could be a site for future infection because of its already weakened stste.

 

[jams.alaskan]

My livebearers are in a tank kept at 78 F, I've gone as high as 83 F for some things (treating ich) or as low as 72 F (50 below zero outside and can't keep the window from chilling them.) Some of your temps seem high to me but you say they are doing well so why worry.....

ALASKA

 

[desley]

Hi to ALASKA (who always answers my queries ) .. and Dragon.

I will leave my temperature setting at 26 (78.8 F) as this is what it's been at all summer and last winter. I suppose the gradual decline in our heat will slowly bring the water temps down.

Thanks for letting me know on the red patch Dragon. I actually took him out last night as he was sitting on the bottom and not eating. I put him in a hospital bowl with some medication to see if this will help him. Don't think it is doing much. It does seem to be spreading underneath towards the back of his fin. I think it might be a cancer or something. No-one else (touch wood) has a red mark like this although I lost a platty last week that turned bright white on the top half of his body.

THanks again
Desley