Guppies are a beautiful species of fish that can survive in fish tanks and outside ponds. Guppy fish are tropical fish, and you might wonder if you can keep guppies in cold water.
Guppies do not like cold water. Do not keep guppy fish in temperatures lower than their natural habitat. So, how do you know what guppies are cold?
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How Cold Can Guppies Survive?
The minimum water temperature for guppies is 72 °F (22 °C). For a short period of time, 1-2 days, guppies can withstand water temperatures as low as 65°F (18 °C), but the chances of developing diseases are very high. Offering your guppies a stable water temperature is the best way to keep your fish healthy.
https://drguppy.com/guppies-water-temperature/
Keeping guppies in water that is too cold will make them sluggish. Guppies will stop reproducing and become susceptible to disease and die. So, what about ponds outside?
Guppies Living In Ponds Outside
Guppies can live outside in ponds year-round, so long as the temperature does not fall below 68 °F (20 °C). If the area experiences winter-like cold weather, then guppies will not survive outside.
Can I Use A Heater To Keep Guppies Warm?
Using a water heater in an outdoor pond can be expensive and problematic. If you do not live in a tropical climate, you can use a water heater to keep the fish tank temperature stable.
Guppies need a water heater to keep the water temperature stable. If not, they become stressed, their immune system weakens, and they die from diseases.
External Resources
- Cold Water Guppies – Fish Forums – https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cold-water-guppies.232608/
- Pitkow, R. (1960). Cold Death in the Guppy. Biological Bulletin,119(2), 231-245. doi:10.2307/1538925
- Can Guppies live in unheated tank? – http://www.aceforums.com.au/topic/43013-can-guppies-survive-without-a-heater-and-filter/