Can platies live in cooler temperatures?

Ponyo

I know it's a strange combo, but I have a black platy and a bumble bee platy (both female) living with a couple of white clouds. They get along great and I love watching them. The bumble bee is either young or a dwarf, so she is small enough that the minnows like to swim with her. Anyway, I have the temperature set at 75-degrees for the platies, but I know the minnows would probably fare better in cooler water. Would it be okay to turn my heater down a little bit or is that a bad idea?

1077

A couple degrees cooler would prolly suit both.

TankMAster

They will be much happier together in water no cooler than 68 degrees. Tropical fish can handle temps up to 82 and some much more. Scaleless/light scaled fish are safer at temps below 82.

Oldman47

There is no such thing as a "tropical fish" TankMaster. There are lots of fish that need somewhat similar tank water temperatures but you have just lumped the goodeids and discus together into a group. Discus are fine in temperatures above 80F and actually prefer water that warm while most goodeids prefer temperatures at or below 75F. The top value for many corydoras species is also lower than 80F but we tend to keep them with fish that can go much warmer. Your specification of 68F would be very stressful for a Betta splendens or a discus but would be warmer than necessary for many of the goodeid group. The 82F would be way too warm for most cories and the majority of poeciliids and would kill most goodeids but it would be almost ideal for a discus and a nice warm area for a Betta splendens. Please do not think that any old "tropical" fish can do well in your temperature range. It is common to have a community tank in the 75 to 78F range because many of the fish we keep are OK in that range, not because it is ideal for them.

kitten_penang

i was wondering how come you don't have or care to show us any of your tanks?? your so informative i can't wait to see you work sorry for hijacking this thread.

Ponyo

No need to apologize for posting a comment in this thread Kitten Penang. I've noticed there are some really knowledgable folks on here, such as Oldman47, and I can understand why you'd like to see more of them post aquarium photos. Some of the tanks are really inspiring.

As for my set up, I've turned the heater down to 72 and, so far, the platies and white clouds seem happy.

kitten_penang

thats such great news a happy fish makes a happy owner yeah i love pics of tanks it kinda inspire us to go the extra mile ..