pamelakt

Hi guys,

Just like his mummy, Hamish is not appreciating the heat wave we're experiencing over here. Wel at least I don't think he is.

I noticed he'd been a bit quiet for a couple of days, as in spending alot of time in his jar or just bobbing at the top - not his usual cheeky self. Last night I noticed his temperature was too hot, he was a good couple of degree's hotter than he usually sits at.

So I cleaned him out which took it down slightly. But I'm really worried that he's going to cook while I'm at work today!! I have a tiny studio flat & while he's not sat in direct sunlight or anything - it is very hot & stuffy during a hot day. I'm ground floor & can't leave any windows open either.
SHould I be worrying or will he be ok? And if so are there any tricks to keeping him a little cooler?! I'm not gonna put his light on today just incase that helps....



Oh PS. surprise surprise it has not had any effect on his appetite!

aquarist48

Good morning. If you would be so kind as to fill out your aquarium information it would be a great help to others. What type of fish is the one you're concerned about? What is the temperature in your tank? I assume that you lowered the heater if you have one? Too, depending on the fish you could possibly leave the lid open as well along with turning off the light. I keep my lights off during the hottest parts of the day (11am to 4pm they are off)

If you have a fan that you can set up near the tank to blow air OVER it, not on it would help as well.

Some members have added a frozen bottle of ice...some ice in zip lock bags. You don't want to lower (or raise) your temperature too quickly. Temperature fluctuations can be a main cause of disease. Best of luck and stay COOL!

pamelakt

Sorry - he is a betta. His temperature is now back to normal. I kept the blinds shut & didn't put his light on. Thanks

ara

Pamelakt, it's really easy to kill a betta when the temperature goes up too much. Please make sure your guy is comfortable and warm (not hot). Aquarist48 gave you excellent advices.

pamelakt

OK well looking at the guide on here it says 70°F - 85°F (21°C - 29°C) - and Hamish is currenty at 26 degree's. When it goes up during a really hot day it can go up 2 degree's.

I've turned down the heater, and I'm keeping the blinds shut and his light off. His heater doesn't kick in anyway until his water temerature drops so it must be purely room temperate its at.

What temperture would kill him? Anything over 29?

Chrisson

I'm not sure if a little hot temperature can kill him but it can age the betta quicker.

ara

I would say that the perfect temperature for bettas is 78F or 25C. I think 85F (29C) is too high. When water in my tanks began to reach 82F (28C) I moved them from the second floor to the first one (cooler place). I saw bettas dieing from the high temperature (at a Wal-mart store) but I don't know how high the temperature was there. That's why I prefer to stay safe and keep my tanks at constant 25C.

pamelakt

I will turn my heater down even more - surely it doesn't kick in tho anyway when the water is warm enough?

It should be a cooler weekend this weekend, its driving me mad because I'm worrying about it all day. He's pretty happy at the moment he's been at 26 all day, I'll try get it down to 25...