What Temperature Should Variatus Platy's Br Kept At?

[L1995]

I have had my Platy tank set up for a couple of months now (previously cycled without the fish.) When I bought them Pets at Home told me they could be kept in cold water because they are the Variatus variety. I have them in a tank without a heater the temperature is currently at 20 - 21C and drops to around 18 - 19C at night when the light turns off. I have a heater that came with the tank so not sure if I should put it in or not?
What temperature should they be kept at?

 

[kapsourakis]

try to have a temperature around 22-25 Celsius in your tank. Do you have any other fishes inside?

 

[FishObbessed]

They can survive in colder tempatures but they they won't live as long. Try to keep the tempature around 20-27 Celsius (68-81 Fahrenheit).

 

[Spanky77]

OK I'm new to the forum. That being said, I need help! I work at a nursing home, and there are 5 tanks throughout. I have been put in charge of cleaning and maintenance on them. There has to be a better way to clean than using a siphon vacuum. I'm given 4 hrs every month to do all 5 tanks. Please help. PS there are a variety of fish in the tanks including goldfish. But don't ask me what kind they are as I am clueless.

 

[L1995]

I only have 6 Platy's in the tank

 

[tod]

Hello
Platy Variatus will be o.k. at lower temperatures and are fine between 16c - 25c, but it all depends on what other fish you keep with them, they are happier than maculatus platies at lower temps.
Please be aware that they have a reputation of eating there own fry, so separate them if you want to keep the young, but some will survive if you have hiding places for them.
Tod

 

[Mettafin]

OK I'm new to the forum. That being said, I need help! I work at a nursing home, and there are 5 tanks throughout. I have been put in charge of cleaning and maintenance on them. There has to be a better way to clean than using a siphon vacuum. I'm given 4 hrs every month to do all 5 tanks. Please help. PS there are a variety of fish in the tanks including goldfish. But don't ask me what kind they are as I am clueless.

Greetings,
IMHO, I don't think four hours a month is near adequate to take care of five tanks. Do you think your employer might be convinced to give you more time? I wonder if they'd let you start an aquarist club among residents of the nursing home. Then at least you could have a group of people watching the fish in the various tanks and reporting any problems, pregnancies, etc. Maybe your employer could also spring for some books on fish-keeping? I am relatively new at this (1-1/2 yrs), but it seems to me that a lot of my time is spent just watching my fish so I can see which ones are the bullies, which ones are vulnerable, and all kinds of interesting behaviours. I have to know what's going on in order to nip problems in the bud. Also, I enjoy watching them and I learn a lot. I'll often research a newly-noticed behaviour.
I'd be interested in reading other responses to your dilemma.
Good luck with all those fish!
Mettafin