Apisto cool down

[abrooks12376]

Hey all, been a while. I have a male macmasteri and male abacaxis hanging with a pair of geophagus. They all get along fine. Anyways these type geos require a cool down in The fall/winter months. Imade going to unplug the heater and let tank fall with roomtemp. Basement so it gets down to 68 lowest. Do we think the apisto will do ok or should I consider moving them?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[abrooks12376]

@mikewise, thoughts?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Mike Wise]

They'll 'probably' handle it. 20°C/68°F is still above their lower lethal limit, temperature-wise. Still, their metabolism will slow to a great extent, which can lead to them being more susceptible to illnesses.

 

[abrooks12376]

Sounds like it's probably not worth chancing. While I have your attention, do you have any experience with geo. "El norte"?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Siggi]

The catchments from where most apistogrammas come from (I mean the wild and not farm bred) are pretty constant in temperatures all year round - seasonal variation is more in drainage and hence water properties such as suspended load and acidity than in thermal variation.
Although A. macmasteri is mostly a colombian apisto and I'm not so sure about thermal regimes in the llanos of central and northern Colombia.
If you had a borelli I wouldn't hesitate in saying you could let them cool down quite a bit - with the macmasteri I wouldn't push the temps to much...

 

[abrooks12376]

Excellent info. Thanks sig! These are like the old guys hanging on the farm. I suppose it's time to find them some ladies and set them up in a new home.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Mike Wise]

While I have your attention, do you have any experience with geo. "El norte"?

Sorry, never kept any Geophagus species.