Gymnogeophagus

[aaron]

Hello,

Are there any Gymnogeophagus that are found far enough north (near the equator) of Brazil that they would not need a cool down period? I see that balzanii, gymnogenys, labaitus,meridionalis and rhabdotus are all from Brazil and I'm sure others are too. I would rather not keep them if they need the cooldown period versus keeping them and skipping it, even though I know of people that go that route.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Bas Pels]

G balsani lives the most for to the north of all. They do have 2 populations, a north one near Paraquay and a south one in northern Uruguay

The north population would, I guess, need 25 -27 C in summer and 1 to 2 months below 18 C in winter

Were one to combine them with, say, Heros, needing approximately 27 C - then in summer this would be more or less OK. In winter they would burn up far too rapidly

[aaron]

Thanks for the reply.

I'll still stay away from them until I can give them a good cooling period. I don't have anywhere to keep them outside.

[Lotsapetsgarfhts]

They are one of the perfect fish for my basement, I can keep them down the all year long without a heater (they are all small and have heaters now). It has been many years but I used to keep gymnogenys and meridionalis without cooling them down and they were fine. I probably kept the at a steady 78F all year long. I have been reading about the cool down and I'll just unplug the heaters in the Fall.

[dogofwar]

Exactly - they don't need to go outside. Just a cool place in the house.

I have Uruguayan fish on the lowest (nearest the ground) row of tanks in my fishroom, which gets into the mid-60s in the winter...

Constant tropical temperatures is what to avoid.

Matt

[Bas Pels]

nobody said they need to get outdoors, but for me it is the easiest solution. And they do enjoy the sun

[duanestuermer]

The cool down seems to rejuvenate Gymnos, when I tried to keep them at a constant temp, they appeared dull and were prone to disease. Whenever I bring them out of cool down, colors and attitude are amzing.



I keep them in unheated tanks in winter, and toss them in the pond May thru Oct.
In Oct there are usually an extra 50 juvies to fish out.

[Bas Pels]

I would not toss , but I do agree

I don't think they will be looking forward toward the cold period, but they do need it

Beautifull G gymnogenys btw

[aaron]

Outside is the only option that would be cool enough for me.

I stay in an apartment, unheated the tank may get down to 67-68 in winter. More likely it would stay around 70 since the room I keep the tanks in tends to stay warmer.

[abarilot]

You would be alright with a group of G. balzanii since your temp does get into the upper 60s. It would be better if it got a bit colder but getting below 70 would be enough of a cool down for this species in my opinion. This year all of my Uruguayan fishes got a cool down into the low 60s and for a few days upper 50s, and as a result they are all looking great! Cheers!

[Bas Pels]

as 70 F = 22 C, I'd say you better go to the low 60's (64 or less) for G balsani

I keep my fish from South Uruguay for 2 months @ 12 C. I guess that's around 54 F

[aaron]

Yeah, like I said I'm not interested in keeping them since I can't provide the cool down. 70 seems a pretty high cool down, considering most of my tanks are already running around 75-78.

[abarilot]

Bas I thought the Paraguayan balzanii didn't need as much of a cool down since they are a more northern species. Anyway the point is mute since the OP isn't interested

[Bas Pels]

Abarilot

That's certainly true. Precisely that's why I wrote I'd go for less than 64 F for balsani - and not lower.

I keep my fish from south Uruguay - not balsani, they are only found in the north @ ~54 F in winter

I do have balsani from Uruguay, and will keep them next winter @ ~15 C - thus 60 F.

But, as tated, the argument is getting academic - that is, senseless