I have had my fish for about a month and a half without a heater. The temperature stayed between 68-70%. I have five barbs and one red tail. Yes I know that they needed warmer water but they adapted very well.
Anyway I added a heater recently and now it stays between 76-78 degrees. My fish prior to the heater would swim around and what not but now they are all over the place. They are following in single file and huddling together and seem to be more vibrant. My red tail even hangs out with them at times.
Should I be concerned?
2007-11-10 16:53:49 · 11 answers · asked by Debt Free! 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
I have a seperate therm. Actually my heater doesn't have one on it.
2007-11-10 17:04:25 · update #1
The highest temperature for tropical fish is 82% so I'm sure it's not too hot for them. It has only gone up 4-6 degrees warmer than before. And they actually stay on the side of the aquarium where the heater is.
2007-11-10 17:06:58 · update #2
In cold conditions, fishes' (cold blooded) metabolism slows, leading to less active fish, with less color. By adding a heater, you sped up their metabolism, leading to activity, more colors, and probably more of a will to eat. Don't be concerned at all, you just did the best thing you could for those fish.
Soop Nazi
2007-11-10 16:57:49 · answer #1 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion no you shouldn't be concerned. These are tropical fish that like the warmer water. I have found that the warmer water makes the fish not only more active but can also bring out their colors as well. But remember you don't want to cook your fish either so in the middle to high 70s should be fine.
2007-11-15 01:00:12 · answer #2 · answered by Catfish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not be concerned. You have actually just helped your fish out immensely. This is an ideal temperature for most tropical fish. Since fish are cold blooded species their activity is directly proportional to the temperature of the water, The cooler the water the slower the metabolism, therefore the less active they will be.
2007-11-11 08:52:21 · answer #3 · answered by stargrazer 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fishes are cold-blooded animals.They live in cold water,when u put a heater in the tank,then might not be used to the temperature given after the heater was put in.Thus,they were not really active in cold water as they have adapted to it,and when the water is warm up,they might be more active as they are not adapted to the new temperature
2007-11-11 05:13:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you positive the water temp is 76-78? Sometimes the heaters malfunction, so you always want to have a seperate digital thermometer; Coralife makes a great one for about $12.
2007-11-11 01:02:19 · answer #5 · answered by kittenslayer 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Fish are cold blooded. If their body temp is low the are less active. Now that the water is warmer they are more active.
2007-11-11 01:34:10 · answer #6 · answered by Rudy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fish are exothermic, that is the external tempature regulates their metabolisim. With the higher tempatures, there metabolisms are higher, and thus they have more energy. Barbs are very active fish, and what you are describing is usual behavior for them.
don't be worried, just enjoy the show.
2007-11-11 01:11:15 · answer #7 · answered by Oswald F 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is what's supposed to happen. Congratulations, you now have much happier fish.
2007-11-11 05:16:50 · answer #8 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you have made them happy, if they are swimming around more, and seem more viberant in color, they are happier, it might take awhile for them to ajust, but you probably did them a favor
2007-11-11 01:25:12 · answer #9 · answered by soccersweetie982005 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is because the temperature is too hot to them...u must decrease the water temperature around 60-65 degrees..try this guide for get the better life for your fish..
2007-11-11 00:59:14 · answer #10 · answered by ad 1 · 0⤊ 6⤋