Temperate Aquarium

[FishLover4+1]

Hi. I am about to start restocking my temperate fish tank. It was previously filled with variatus platys, but most of them have passed on after about 2 years with me (their lifespan is 2-3 years isn't it?). Anyway, it is a 90l (20 UK gallon) tank with a filter, lights, a few plants and other ornaments and is currently home to two male variatus platys and two hillstream loaches (I know the set-up isn't ideal for them, but I can't think of any other options - returning them to the pet shop would probably result in them being sold to people with even less knowledge of them than me). I was thinking of adding:

• 3 male variatus platys (bringing the total to five)
• 6 zebra danios
• 6 bloodfin tetras

which, including the fish that are already in there, brings the total length of adult fish to 103cm. When using the 1cm of fish per litre this means that I would be slightly overstocked, so I was wondering if this was ok? Also although the internet says that all these fish are temperate are they? And will they live together happily? Thanks 

 

[FishLover4+1]

Tactical bump? If no one replies I will have to ask the petshop and I'm not sure I trust them!

 

[Akasha72]

I've not replied because I really don't understand the 'temperate' tank thing. I'm old fashioned and to me a fish is either cold water or tropical. In my view a platy is a tropical fish and needs to kept in a tank with a heater. The same with the tetra's. I'll admit to knowing nothing about Danio's but I suspect those to be tropical too.
 
 
I have heard many mainstream pet stores selling tropical fish as 'temperate' in my local area knowing full well that in the winter it is normal to get below zero temperatures both day and night. I always have to bite my lip and tongue and walk away because I don't agree that these fish can be kept in those conditions.
 
I have asked on other forums for views on temperate tanks and been told my views are wrong and this is why I've refrained from getting involved here. 
 
This is just my opinion and it is not intended to offend in any way. Hopefully someone with more knowledge and different views can help you

 

[FishLover4+1]

Thanks for replying Akasha72! I just like to know that people are reading my questions I guess! The idea of a temperate tank is that it is unheated but kept inside so the water temperature never really drops below 18C. Normal platys are tropical but variatus platys are sub-tropical of temperate according to the internet and the pet shop.

 

[Ch4rlie]

What are the dimensions of your tank?
 
Here is some info on all the fish that you have listed -
 
Bloodfin Tetra -  http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/aphyocharax-anisitsi/
 
Variatus Platy -   http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/xiphophorus-variatus/
 
Zebra Danios -    http/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/danio-rerio/
 
Though have to mention that the tetras can be nippy and all these species do best in groups of at least 6
 
And the litre / gallon per fish rule is not a great rule to follow to be honest, there are  some variables that may not be included in calculations, such as compatibility, water parameters, flow of water, girth of fish ie plecos etc etc

 

[Akasha72]

18 degree's is the bare minimum that these fish can be kept in. Unless you live in a very hot country where temperatures never drop below 18 degree's I don't see how temperate aquariums are possible.
 
I would not keep these fish in a fish tank without a heater in this country. To me this as bad as keeping fish a bowl with no filter. It's the equivilent of dumping a human in the antartic wearing nothing by a vest and pair of pants. You wouldn't do it and you wouldn't survive. But it's okay to do it to a fish? 
 
I'm really really sorry but I'm not okay with temperate aquariums 

 

[FishLover4+1]

That's fine Akasha72 the idea is that the central heating keeps the tank at about room temperature but I guess I'll do some more research. And thanks Ch4rlie it's 90cm x 30cm x about 37cm (l x w x h)

 

[fish48]

if you keep them at room temp-and  your central heating keeps the tank water at a minimum of 68f
the water will  fluctuate by a few degrees as long as it don't go below the fish will be fine, do well between 68f-74f 
some lfs consider them to be cold water fish  which  can be very misleading