Advice on appropriate water temperature

[fishstyles]

So the tank is well established (300 litres). I have had the temperature set to about 24 °C for a long time, however recently having done some research individually for each fish on seriouslyfish.com I had upped the temperature to 25 °C.

My question is, what would you guys and gals recommend the temperature to be set at based on the fish I have below? The only real issue I see is the Golden Barbs not really liking it so warm. What do you think the max temperature I can set it at to benefit all the fish I have?


Golden Barb - Temperature: 16 - 24 °C
Colombian Red Fin Tetra - Temperature: 20 - 28 °C
Black Phantom Tetra - Temperature: 20 - 28 °C
Silvertip Tetra - Temperature: 23 - 28°C
Clown Loach - Temperature: 24 - 30 °C
Siamese Algae Eater - Temperature: 20 - 26 °C
Albino Corydoras - Temperature: 23 - 26°C
Pepper Corydoras - Temperature: 22 - 26°C
Green Phantom Pleco - Temperature: 26 - 30 °C
Otocinclus Catfish Temperature: 22 - 28°C

 

[Barry Tetra]

It’s not that strict, I keep golden barb and clown loach at 31c

Though I would say 26c is okay

 

[fishstyles]

It’s not that strict, I keep golden barb and clown loach at 31c

Though I would say 26c is okay

Oh really? I wasn't aware you had more leeway within the temperatures. I was slightly worried in case I would have been keeping it too warm for the Barbs.

 

[Colin_T]

Most tropical fishes will be fine in water between 18-32C. Some like barbs will be fine in cooler water down to 16C and discus can live in 34C, although they are the maximum limits for most tropical fish.

For your fish 24-25C is fine.

I had my tanks set on 18C and in winter that was as cold as they got. In summer the water temperature hit 30-32C during summer. The fish were fine with the variation because it happened slowly over a period of months and they can adapt to the different temperatures.

You have to remember that even in the wild there will be variations in water temperature and even in the same body of water there will be variations. In ponds and other stationary water bodies, the surface water can be significantly warmer than the water at the bottom in summer. In winter the surface might freeze over and the water at the bottom will be a couple of degrees C.

In the wet season, a lot of rain water can reduce the temperature of rivers. In the dry season, ponds and water ways can evaporate and you are left with hot puddles of water with fish in and the water can exceed 40C.

Aquarium fishes have it pretty cushy when the water temperature is the same all year round

 

[fishstyles]

Most tropical fishes will be fine in water between 18-32C. Some like barbs will be fine in cooler water down to 16C and discus can live in 34C, although they are the maximum limits for most fish.

For your fish 24-25C is fine.

I had my tanks set on 18C and in winter that was as cold as they got. In summer the water temperature hit 30-32C during summer. The fish were fine with the variation because it happened slowly over a period of months and they can adapt to the different temperatures.

You have to remember that even in the wild there will be variations in water temperature and even in the same body of water there will be variations. In ponds and other stationary water bodies, the surface water can be significantly warmer than the water at the bottom in summer. In winter the surface might freeze over and the water at the bottom will be a couple of degrees C.

In the wet season, a lot of rain water can reduce the temperature of rivers. In the dry season, ponds and water ways can evaporate and you are left with hot puddles of water with fish in and the water can exceed 40C.

Aquarium fishes have it pretty cushy when the water temperature is the same all year round

Thank you for the detailed response. Would you recommend me setting it to around 26°C like Barry mentioned above or just keep it around 25°C ? From what I have read and my understanding there's not too much difference and would do no harm.

 

[Colin_T]

25C is fine.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Like amphibians and reptiles fish are cold blooded so their body temperature is dependent on the water temperature. In the wild, if the fish is not happy with the temperature, they can often (but not always) swim to water that is more to their liking. Not so in an aquarium where they're dependent on us to provide the appropriate water temperature.
As mentioned, most fish are tolerant in a range of temperatures with some species more tolerant than others. Most fish do well at 76°F to 78°F (24.5°C to 25.5°C).
At higher temperatures metabolic rates increase so fish are more active and require more food. Lifespans may be decreased. In cooler temperatures things slow down, fish are less active...
There are some schools of thought that question whether we even need heaters in our tanks. (see Freshwater Aquarium Heater - Do We Even Need One) but this likely depends on the species and your average room temperature.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Most tropical fishes will be fine in water between 18-32C. Some like barbs will be fine in cooler water down to 16C and discus can live in 34C, although they are the maximum limits for most tropical fish.

For your fish 24-25C is fine.

I had my tanks set on 18C and in winter that was as cold as they got. In summer the water temperature hit 30-32C during summer. The fish were fine with the variation because it happened slowly over a period of months and they can adapt to the different temperatures.

You have to remember that even in the wild there will be variations in water temperature and even in the same body of water there will be variations. In ponds and other stationary water bodies, the surface water can be significantly warmer than the water at the bottom in summer. In winter the surface might freeze over and the water at the bottom will be a couple of degrees C.

In the wet season, a lot of rain water can reduce the temperature of rivers. In the dry season, ponds and water ways can evaporate and you are left with hot puddles of water with fish in and the water can exceed 40C.

Aquarium fishes have it pretty cushy when the water temperature is the same all year round

Another thing to consider: In the wild, fish have the option of moving to cooler or warmer temps to suit their needs, and to stay comfortable and healthy. In our tanks, they don't have that ability. Just my 2 cents on the matter...