Bad Wolf

can guppies, mollies and platy's live and breed in a cold water tank? just want to know because my cousin wants to get some guppies off me, she doesn't have a heater in a tank. were i live the water is about 18C (62F, i think) without a heater.

Thanks,

Shawnie

they probably can survive, and usually breed in lower temps...but IMO thats too low....74-75 would be the lowest id go and they really prefer 76-80 (at least thats where mine breed the most )

platy ben

I dont have a heater in my guppy and cherry shrimp tank but then again i keep my room warm- usually 70-73 degrees
both also breed readily in the tank

SammyJ

The modern guppy does attribute its larger size to dna from the Mosquito Fish. I would guess that they should be alright if the room is kept constant. The mosquito fish has been documented to survive in water form freezing to 100 F and thrive. While a guppy may not have this temp range it would certainly do well in temps that are slightly outside what is considered the norm for them.

Nick G

Guppies can do well in unheated tanks as long as the room temp is constant, but I wouldn't risk Platies or Mollies.

Butterfly

Keep an eye out for ICH. It loves to attack a fish that has been chilled or stressed. I personally think a temp that low would stress and chill all three of those fish.
What else would be in the tank?
carol

Fishies-for-me

I have kept guppies before in unheated tanks. I never had an ich problem but not much breeding goes on at lower temps. Mine were around 65 to 66f.

Bad Wolf

thanks for that!