Is 78 Degrees Safe For A Comet?

I got my 2 comet goldfish some sails yesterday, nerite and a mystery snail.
My tank is usually around 60-65 degrees, and since I know that snails like warmer water, I decided to get a heater.
I got a Nicrew submersible 100w heater (preset to 78) for my 45-gallon tank, and I'm worried about the temperature rising above 78 while I am away from the tank.
Can comets survive in 80-degree water? And will my heater overheat the tank, or is it too small to be able to do so?

Sorry, I am just very nervous when it comes to heaters!

 

Not sure if the comets can handle the warmer temps but I already know everyone is going to tell you that your 45 is much too small for one comet let alone two.. they grow quite large and usually require a pond to thrive

 

yes, I have some in my outdoor patio pond, the water gets very warm in the summer.

 

I got my 2 comet goldfish some sails yesterday, nerite and a mystery snail.
My tank is usually around 60-65 degrees, and since I know that snails like warmer water, I decided to get a heater.
I got a Nicrew submersible 100w heater (preset to 78) for my 45-gallon tank, and I'm worried about the temperature rising above 78 while I am away from the tank.
Can comets survive in 80-degree water? And will my heater overheat the tank, or is it too small to be able to do so?

Sorry, I am just very nervous when it comes to heaters!

From what I remember, goldfish are cold water species and prefer lower temps. Your snails should do fine in 70 degrees. nerites prefer 70-80 while mystery snails can do anywhere between 65-80. You can maybe bump it up to 72 but that’s as high as I would go to avoid potential loss of your fish. Because your heater is preset, I’d look into exchanging it for one where you can adjust the settings to keep it at a stable 70 degrees as fluctuations can be stressful and can potential kill your livestock.

As far as overheating, I’ve never used the one you have so I wouldn’t know. As with any heater, there’s always a risk of overheating, breaking, cracking, melting... just keep an eye on it, use a drip loop when plugging it in, and get a basic thermometer to use inside the tank to make sure your heater is working properly.

 

Not sure if the comets can handle the warmer temps but I already know everyone is going to tell you that your 45 is much too small for one comet let alone two.. they grow quite large and usually require a pond to thrive

I thought that each comet needed 20 gallons, what is the correct amount for them?

 

I thought they grew up to a foot long... ide wait for the goldfish pros to chime in... there r mixed opinions all over the internet

 

I got my 2 comet goldfish some sails yesterday, nerite and a mystery snail.
My tank is usually around 60-65 degrees, and since I know that snails like warmer water, I decided to get a heater.
I got a Nicrew submersible 100w heater (preset to 78) for my 45-gallon tank, and I'm worried about the temperature rising above 78 while I am away from the tank.
Can comets survive in 80-degree water? And will my heater overheat the tank, or is it too small to be able to do so?

Sorry, I am just very nervous when it comes to heaters!

Hello kamui...

I have tanks of both Common Goldfish, like your Comets and Fancies too. They're not tropical fish, so a water temperature between 65 and 68 degrees is probably the best. Their tank doesn't require a heater. I've never used one in any of my indoor Goldfish tanks. Outside tanks or ponds are a different situation. Those need a heater.

Old

 

Comet goldfish can tolerate high temperatures. However, the higher you go with temperature, the less likely your comet is going to live longer. High temperatures means a high metabolism and a shorten lifespan.

 

Thank you guys!
So should I house my nerite with my betta, or will it be okay with my comets? Just wanna make sure my little guys are alright!

 

Thank you guys!
So should I house my nerite with my betta, or will it be okay with my comets? Just wanna make sure my little guys are alright!

I have housed my nerite with my betta and they’re both thriving in 78 degrees. You can keep your mystery snail with the comets.

 

Can comets survive in 80-degree water

Yes

From what I remember, goldfish are cold water species and prefer lower temps.

They are temperate fish, not cold water fish. They can live in water below freezing, but up to ~80 is fine

I thought that each comet needed 20 gallons, what is the correct amount for them?

About 50 gallons a piece...

 

Yes

They are temperate fish, not cold water fish. They can live in water below freezing, but up to ~80 is fine

About 50 gallons a piece...

From everything I’ve read, they’re cold water fish.

 

From everything I’ve read, they’re cold water fish.

Temperate.

 

Despite what many sources say, goldfish are not coldwater fish, so 78-80F is fine.

Fish should ideally be categorized as tropical, temperate, and coldwater--not just tropical and all others simply labeled coldwater as most fish in the hobby are actually in the first two categories. True coldwater species require chillers.

Perhaps one day our hobby will advance enough so that many will commonly consider all three.

 

From everything I’ve read, they’re cold water fish.

I assure you they're not. It is a widely accepted misconception? absolutely. But the fact is that they have an enormous temp range of sub freezing to ~80. There aren't very many cold water fish (that I know of) that are commonly kept in the hobby, if any at all.

 

Google says different lol. I’ve never kept them. I only keep tropical fish. Whatever the case, they need a decent temp to thrive no matter what livestock it is.

Despite what many sources say, goldfish are not coldwater fish, so 78-80F is fine.

Fish should ideally be categorized as tropical, temperate, and coldwater--not just tropical and all others simply labeled coldwater as most fish in the hobby are actually in the first two categories. True coldwater species require chillers.

Perhaps one day our hobby will advance enough so that many will commonly consider all three.

I’ve seen people use chillers in their tanks. Can’t remember what fish they kept... I think they were goldfish but it was a while ago when I ran into this. I’ll dig around and see if I can find it again.

 

Goldfish are carp. They've adapted to waters all over the world, from Europe, to the US, South and Central America and Asia. I know little old ladies who kept them in ponds here in Texas thru the summers and the winters. They're not a "cold water" fish. At all.

Google says different lol. I’ve never kept them. I only keep tropical fish. Whatever the case, they need a decent temp to thrive no matter what livestock it is.

Google is an idiot. Put that on a sticky note on the fridge.

 

Google is an idiot. Put that on a sticky note on the fridge.

Aw man, I still can't do agree and funny, so I'll give you an agree and a Funny +1

 

Crazy!!! I guess all of the articles popping up on goldfish are idiots as well! Lol

I’ve never kept them except for that time I won one from a carnival when I was 8! You know the ones where it was supposedly ok to keep them in a bowl much like Bettas. Completely disagree with it but I’ll take everyone’s word since y'all know more about it than the numerous articles floating around online.

 

fish keepers only call them "coldwater fish" b/c they don't need a heater compared to tropical fish.

but Biologically/Scientifically speaking they are temperate fish. many are bred and raised in outdoor ponds in tropical regions, like Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Florida, Brazil, etc.
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/goldfish-care-sheet.167762/

and yes, common and comet goldfish usually get between 8-12" long. check out these

 

fish keepers only call them "coldwater fish" b/c they don't need a heater compared to tropical fish.

but Biologically/Scientifically speaking they are temperate fish. many are bred and raised in outdoor ponds in tropical regions, like Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Florida, Brazil, etc.
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/goldfish-care-sheet.167762/

and yes, common and comet goldfish usually get between 8-12" long. check out these

Ah gotcha! So they’re just called that but really aren’t. The things you learn! Thanks for the clarification. I always figured goldfish were meant for ponds along with koi but as long as the tank is big enough I’m assuming that should suffice (?). I had koi in my backyard for decades even with temps reaching in the 100s where I live during the summer months, they were fine from what I can remember.

 

I got my 2 comet goldfish some sails yesterday, nerite and a mystery snail.
My tank is usually around 60-65 degrees, and since I know that snails like warmer water, I decided to get a heater.
I got a Nicrew submersible 100w heater (preset to 78) for my 45-gallon tank, and I'm worried about the temperature rising above 78 while I am away from the tank.
Can comets survive in 80-degree water? And will my heater overheat the tank, or is it too small to be able to do so?

Sorry, I am just very nervous when it comes to heaters!

Good morning I had two goldfish and I used a heater in my tank but I kept it between 74-76 degrees and yes they did get big to big for my tank so I had to move them but just pay attention to things.

 

fish keepers only call them "coldwater fish" b/c they don't need a heater compared to tropical fish.

but Biologically/Scientifically speaking they are temperate fish. many are bred and raised in outdoor ponds in tropical regions, like Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Florida, Brazil, etc.
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/goldfish-care-sheet.167762/

and yes, common and comet goldfish usually get between 8-12" long. check out these

Dang those are some big goldfish!
I'm gonna have to make myself a 100 gallon or save up for one. I knew that they got big, but jeez.

 

I have had my comets and Cory’s in he same tank for over a year at 76’ and they are doing great. The issue is the availability of oxygen. The higher temps reduce the amount of oxygen. If you’re running HOB filters that have a little splash down it shouldn’t be an issue. I also have a bubble wall under the HOB filters to help break up the surface to help the oxygenate the water. If you notice that they’re constantly at the top of the tank taking in air then I would be concerned about the temperature and/or lack of oxygen. And yes the higher temperature may also increase the metabolism thereby shortening the lifespans, however comets & goldfish live 15-20 years so....

 

I wouldn’t keep comets in a tank since they are a schooling fish and get 8-10 inches fullly grown. And I would not recommend mixing cold water fish with warm water species. That’s just me though

 

Whether or not goldfish are a cold water fish is an interesting discussion but it doesn't answer the mail. The real question is, "can goldfish survive and prosper in a wide range of temperatures? The answer is "Yes!" I keep a 500 gallon stock tank in my yard for deer and other wildlife. I keep goldfish in it for mosquito control. The water temp ranges from the 90s in the summer to sub-teens in the winter with a 4" thick coat of ice. They might not like it, but mine have survived for years.

 

I don’t keep goldfish so I’m obviously no expert, but I do believe that all goldfish will eat snails if they’re small enough to fit in their mouths. So that’s something to remember.

That should stop you from having a mystery snail population explosion anyway

 

Goldfish will eat anything that fits in their mouth, including each other

 

Goldfish will eat anything that fits in their mouth, including each other

Savage.

 

Whether or not goldfish are a cold water fish is an interesting discussion but it doesn't answer the mail. The real question is, "can goldfish survive and prosper in a wide range of temperatures? The answer is "Yes!" I keep a 500 gallon stock tank in my yard for deer and other wildlife. I keep goldfish in it for mosquito control. The water temp ranges from the 90s in the summer to sub-teens in the winter with a 4" thick coat of ice. They might not like it, but mine have survived for years.

I agree; I've had both goldfish aquariums and an outdoor stock pond reach high 80s no problem (maybe even 90f with full sun in the summer), which is why the discussion of "whether or not goldfish are a coldwater fish" versus temperate was being discussed. To argue for them being coldwater fish would mean that they can not "survive and prosper in a wide range of temperatures," especially not at the temperatures you, Skavatar, I, and many other goldfishkeepers have experienced and continue to experience. But the fact of the matter is that they do. This shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone since goldfish are kept in outdoor tubs and ponds in nearly every region in the world as well as being highly invasive (i.e., except Antarctica).

Like their wild ancestors the gibel carp, goldfish are perfectly adapted to surviving in temperate zones: that is, they do well in tropical temperatures during summer and freezing temperatures during winter. But unlike true coldwater species, goldfish stay, more or less, dormant under the ice.

In this hobby, anything that doesn't require a heater or come from tropical regions are reflexively put under the coldwater category, which is wrong. As I said before, I want to see a more clearly defined category of fish in this hobby that makes much more sense: tropical, temperate, coldwater. Most hobbyists keep fish that are in the first two, while not many actually keep fish in the third (like grayling, trout, burbot, among many others). True coldwater fish would soon die even at room temperature, and thus would require a chiller.

I've said this so many times in many other goldfish threads that I feel like a Macaw or Cockatoo

 

Goldfish need water of 60-70 about 70 gallons a peice and produce A LOT of waste I personally don't recommend them for tanks as they grow up to "12-"14 and can live for 20-30 years. I have had goldfish pick at s
Smaller snails before so the nerite is iffy but apple snails (mystery snails) get massive so that should be fine with them. But also always check 3-5 different sites to check information about fish your planning to get pet stores often give misleading information so doing research is key.


Albeit they can survive water up to 80-95 it can cause health issues later in the fishes life.

 

Goldfish will eat anything that fits in their mouth, including each other

Hey now, they mostly spit gravel back out, you gotta give ‘em credit for that! XD

 

This is interesting. As they are temperate fish do they not therefore need to experience seasonal fluctuations for their biology.

It would surprise me if 78F was a recommended temperature year-round but the world is full of surprises as well as mis-information.

 

Albeit they can survive water up to 80-95 it can cause health issues later in the fishes life.

Like what? Regardless, I doubt anyone is keeping them at those temps constantly? It wouldn't make sense. I'm talking about seasonal variations in temps. Keep in mind people keep goldfish and koi ponds in every part of the world people inhabit, like Africa, Australia, and even South America. The world is a lot larger than North America and the UK.

As for lifespans, for fancies, 5-8 years is a more realistic number. Even most common and comets are unlikely to reach 30 years or more. 12-15 is more probable.

 

I got my 2 comet goldfish some sails yesterday, nerite and a mystery snail.
My tank is usually around 60-65 degrees, and since I know that snails like warmer water, I decided to get a heater.
I got a Nicrew submersible 100w heater (preset to 78) for my 45-gallon tank, and I'm worried about the temperature rising above 78 while I am away from the tank.
Can comets survive in 80-degree water? And will my heater overheat the tank, or is it too small to be able to do so?

Sorry, I am just very nervous when it comes to heaters!

I don't use a heater at all and my fish are perfectly fine year round. I had a heater malfunction years ago and haven't used a heater since. I also have nerite snails. My tank is heavily planted which may be a factor.