Can They Live In Cold Water?

[devilangel09]

Scissor Tail Rasbora

 

[Colin_T]

they can tolerate water down to about 16C if the temperature is lowered over a course of months. But if you put them straight into cool water they will probably freak out and die if it gets too cold.

 

[Bignose]

I think that it is also fair to say that there is a difference between "live" as in "survive" and "thrive". Just because a creature can survive certain conditions doesn't mean it will thrive in certain conditions. A person can live their entire life in a box the size of a phone booth -- if you give them adequate food and water and waste elimination services. However, no one would consider that any kind of quality of life. Scissortials are native to tropical waters, they aren't found in non-tropical waters anywhere in nature. They may be able to survive in non-native like conditions, but they will hardly thrive. This means that they will be more susceptible to disease, may not grow as big, won't live anywhere near as long as they would otherwise, etc. etc. All in all, I think that it is pretty unfair to unnecessarily subject them to such conditions.

 

[devilangel09]

I think that it is also fair to say that there is a difference between "live" as in "survive" and "thrive". Just because a creature can survive certain conditions doesn't mean it will thrive in certain conditions. A person can live their entire life in a box the size of a phone booth -- if you give them adequate food and water and waste elimination services. However, no one would consider that any kind of quality of life. Scissortials are native to tropical waters, they aren't found in non-tropical waters anywhere in nature. They may be able to survive in non-native like conditions, but they will hardly thrive. This means that they will be more susceptible to disease, may not grow as big, won't live anywhere near as long as they would otherwise, etc. etc. All in all, I think that it is pretty unfair to unnecessarily subject them to such conditions.

was only wondering as was need to do it for 4-5 hours

 

[Bignose]

I think that it is also fair to say that there is a difference between "live" as in "survive" and "thrive". Just because a creature can survive certain conditions doesn't mean it will thrive in certain conditions. A person can live their entire life in a box the size of a phone booth -- if you give them adequate food and water and waste elimination services. However, no one would consider that any kind of quality of life. Scissortials are native to tropical waters, they aren't found in non-tropical waters anywhere in nature. They may be able to survive in non-native like conditions, but they will hardly thrive. This means that they will be more susceptible to disease, may not grow as big, won't live anywhere near as long as they would otherwise, etc. etc. All in all, I think that it is pretty unfair to unnecessarily subject them to such conditions.

was only wondering as was need to do it for 4-5 hours

Well, you didn't exactly say that, now did you?

And that said, why would you need to keep them in cold water for 4-5 hours? Why not siphon off some of their tank water into the container, wrap in towels to insulate it, and go from there?

You could even prepare for this by turning the temperature up in the tank a little the night before to get the water warmer so that when it loses heat it stays in that tropical temperature range longer.

Unless you are keeping their tank in a refrigerator, water (especially a large amount) won't lose its heat quickly at all.

Lastly, what ever container you are keeping them in for 4-5 hours, why can't you just toss a heater into that container?

Maybe if you explained the full situation better, we'd have a better idea of what your plan is and give you better advice on how to keep your fish as healthy and happy as possible.