Many aquarium owners don’t really bother about the water temperature because they claim that guppies don’t need a certain temperature. However, this isn’t completely the truth. The suitable water temperature range for guppies should be 72 °F ~ 80 °F (22~27 °C).
What will happen when your guppy’s water is too cold or too hot? And, how do you get the water to the right temperature if the water might be too hot?
We are going to discuss everything that you need to know about the water temperature for guppies and some other essential water issues.
Contents
What happens when the temperature is outside the range?
Before you can even decide not to make use of a water heater or consider controlling the water temperature of a guppy aquarium, you need to know what is going to happen to your guppies when the tank is outside the recommended temperature range.
The first thing that you need to remember is that guppy fish is tropical fish. Their natural habitat is warm water. This is why you need to consider the right temperature. If not, some problems might occur.
When the temperature is higher
Having water that is too low can be risky, but having water that might be too hot is just as risky and dangerous for guppies.
When the water temperature is hotter than 82 degrees Fahrenheit, it is classified as too hot for guppies. The water should never go over 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Something to consider is what the temperature outside the tank is as well. During the hotter summer months, the tank’s water temperature should be a bit lower than during the colder winter months.
There are two main reasons why you should make sure that you are controlling the water temperature, and not letting it get too high. It’s oxygen problems and the fish life span that will be shorter.
Not enough oxygen problem
The higher the temperature of the water, the lower the oxygen is. It’s a problem that many doesn’t know. And, guppy fish needs oxygen to stay healthy and active.
The lower the oxygen levels, the higher the chance that the guppies might suffocate. Did you know that hot water is the most common reason why most guppies are dying in beginner aquarium tanks?
Shorter life span
Besides the fact that there is less oxygen in the tank, there is one other serious side effect of having an aquarium for your guppies with water that is too warm. The fish will have a shorter life span than what they would have with the perfect water temperature.
This is because guppies will start to become ill, more bacteria and toxins will be in the tank that can make them sick. Breathing problems because the heat can also cause a shorter life span.
When the temperature is lower
Guppies can survive in lower temperatures, but not for long periods. The lower the temperature of the water, the more dangerous it will be for your fish.
The temperature should not go below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18°C), but there are reports that guppies have survived temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. But this is for sure not recommended.
There are many problems that you will have with your guppies when the temperature goes below the recommended temperature. Problems that can cause guppies to die at the end of the day. These are the reasons why the right temperature is essential for all guppies.
Increase in Diseases
Guppies are hardened fish but tend to get diseases if the water temperature is colder than it needs to be. Diseases that can infect your whole aquarium, making all your fish sick, and might even cause the guppies and all the other fish in the tank to die.
This is one of the most important reasons why the right water temperature is so important. To keep diseases at bay and to keep fish healthy.
Breeding Issues
If you are breeding guppies, cold water is going to be a serious problem. Guppies will not breed and the guppy fries will not survive cold water.
This is due to the lack of energy that they have when they are living in cold water. For breeding purposes, the right temperature is essential.
Slow Growth Rate
Not only will colder water make it harder for guppies to breed, but the fries will grow a lot slower as well. The slow growth rate is one of the side effects of leaving your growing guppies in water that is too cold for guppies.
This might be the reason why your guppies don’t grow as large as what you thought they need to be. Especially if you have fry that is growing at a slower rate than in other tanks. Guppies are beautiful fish, but only if they are fully grown.
Less Activity
Guppies are cold-blooded. Basically, the same as lizards. If they are cold, they will not be as active as when they are feeling hotter and more comfortable.
In general, this might not be a problem if your fish is not active, but this can cause your fish to become unhealthy and unhappy. This will lead to fish dying.
Fish, especially guppies need to be active. And, the best way to do this is to ensure that they have the right temperature water.
How to create a suitable temperature for your guppies
Now, that you know the importance of having the right temperature for your guppies, you might have some questions.
How to create a suitable temperature for your guppies? How to make sure that your guppies have the perfect water temperature in the aquarium so that they can enjoy their environment?
First of all, you should have a water heater if the temperature of the area you are living in is colder than 72 °F (22°C).
>>Explore the most affordable heater (with intelligent temperature control function) for small tanks on Amazon.
This will ensure that the water is staying constantly at the same temperature.
And, you will need to have a thermometer to be able to see the temperature at all times. But, what can you do when the water is too warm or too cold?
When the water is too warm
When the water is too warm, the main problem is a lack of oxygen in the water. Therefore, there are two options to resolve this problem.
Option 1: You should add a spray bar into the output of the filter to create air agitation at the water surface. This will help your fish by increasing the oxygen level in the water, and then the filter will transport the oxygen to anywhere in the tank.
>> Click here to view some spray bars for your filter.
Option 2: You should use the fan or chiller to decrease the water temperature. If using a fan is your choice, you need to add more water because of water evaporation.
The most popular and affordable option when it comes to guppies when the water is too warm is the aquarium fan.
>>Explore the top rated aquarium fan on Amazon.
This aquarium fan has a 2-speed control that can reduce the temperature by two or three degrees fast. It’s also quiet what is making it perfect for guppy aquariums.
When the water is too cold
When the water of the aquarium is too cold, there is only one thing that you can do. Adjust the heater that you already have in the aquarium.
If you don’t have a heater in the aquarium, this is something that you need to get as soon as possible.
The sooner the water’s temperature is warmer, the better it will be for the guppies. Larger tanks might require two heaters for you to get the water at the right temperature.
FAQ
What is a suitable temperature for guppies breeding?
If you want to be successful with breeding guppies, you need to make sure that you have the right temperature for your guppies. The water temperature should be between 72 degrees Fahrenheit and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
For the fries to grow successfully the water should be around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fish that have the same water temperature range
What type of fish can you add with your guppies? Fish that will be able to live in the same temperature tank as the guppies? No, not all fish can take the same temperature as the guppies. These are the fish that you can have in the same water temperature as with guppies.
- Swordfish
- Platies
- Mollies
- Angelfish
Now, you know the importance of having the right temperature water for your guppies. Even if they will survive in cold water, it isn’t recommended. Especially if you want to breed with them.
It is important to remember that the water should not be colder than 72 °F and not warmer than 80 °F if you want healthy guppy fish. This is the most important thing that every guppy owner should remember. That the right temperature is essential.
