Jackie Frost

Can a goldfish handle it? I got a heater for my goldfish aquarium because the tank temperature would start at 78 degrees in the morning then rise to 82 by late afternoon. I didn't think my fish could deal with that so I keep the tank at a warm 82. Lucy suggested that a goldfish may be able to handle that daily range of temperature changes. Is that true? I want Molly (my black moor) to be as comfortable as possible.

iloveengl

I believe goldfish prefer cooler temperatures than tropical fish. Those temps actually sound a bit high for goldies. What's the temp range without the heater?

Lucy

I sent Gremlin a pm and asked her to look at this thread.
In the mean time, maybe someone else can give you a definate answer.

Jackie Frost

It starts off with 78 then reaches 82. That flucuation happens every day like clock work without the heater. It doesn't matter how much I fiddle with the air conditioning.

Thanks for checking it out with Gremlin for me Lucy. Perhaps the famous but elusive Gremlin will be able to help me out.

gremlin

I'm not that elusive - am I? Just because I've been a bit busy...geesh

Okay - Goldies - especially the not-fancy ones - can handle a temperature range from upper 60's at about 6:30 am to anywhere in the 90's by 4:30 - 5:00 pm. That is a good 20 - 30 degree difference every day. My goldies survive that every year all summer long. Even in the winter, the temperature fluctuation from night time to middle of the afternoon is a good 10 degrees or more. The 78 - 82 is not going to hurt your fancy goldfish at all. I don't think you need to worry about a heater one bit. If anything, I would see if there was a way to cool it down a bit more at night. Oh, and maybe add an extra airstone or two to boost the oxygen in the water with the warmer temps. A range of 72 at night up to 78 - 82 during the hottest part of the day would be fine. My goldies have actually done fine with the water temp reaching 96 - 98 degrees on the really hot days. Fortunately, since my pond is on the east side of the house, it cools off later in the evening and at night.

Do you have a light on the tank? If so, maybe leave it off most of the day. Also, what is the temperature of your house during the day? Does the tank sit close to a window? or any electronic equipment (tv, computer, stereo)? Another thing to keep in mind - the larger the volume of water, the easier it is to maintain a certain temperature range.

Jackie Frost

Okay gang. I shut off the heater this morning. I still feel a little nervous about it for some reason. I could have sworn I read somewhere that fish needed stable temperatures ...but that doesn't necessarily refer to goldfish.



I know Gremlin but with your name and reputation I must admit my imagination took over. I kept seeing you as some expert fish-heroine who only answers posts under emergency circumstances and then slips away again unseen. Who was that masked Gremlin? I watch too much TV.

Lucy

iloveengl

Gremlin to the rescue! Glad to hear your goldies will be okay. GL!

Meenu

Thanks, guys, for the morning laugh.

Jackie, I think Molly is going to be fine. You're such a caring fish mom!

gremlin

Wow - expert? me?? NOT! but thanks for that wonderful vote of confidence! I just like to read a lot

As for the stable temp thing - that is pretty much standard for tropical fish. Goldies like the change.

I guess it is time for me to disappear again now?

Meenu

Gremlin, I have to say that in my head, I'm hearing the Mission Impossible music - so I guess I envision it as much more "spy" than "ninja"

gremlin

I could tell you what I'm thinking . . . but then I'd have to kill you.

maybe I could ride off into the sunset?