Guppy fish is the most common fish every aquarist usually loves to add to their aquarium and outside pond. Knowing the right temperature guppy needs to live and whether they can live in cold water temperature is essential. So, can guppy live in cold water? Do they require a heater? Let us find out.
Guppy can survive in cold water temperatures of as low as 60°F. However, we don’t recommend keeping guppies in cold water as it will make them inactive and come under stress, making them vulnerable to various diseases. Guppies will thrive in water temperatures between 72-82°F.
We will discuss the water parameters required by your guppies, whether they need a heater, and how we can keep our aquarium water warm in winters without a heater in this article. So let us get into it
Contents
Water parameters requirement of guppies.
| Particulars | Guppy |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | 72-82 |
| Water ph level | 6.8-7.8 |
Your guppy will thrive in water temperatures between 72-82°F.
Make sure to provide your guppies with a water ph level between 6.8 and 7.8.
What is the minimum water temperature in which guppy can live?
The minimum water temperature guppy can live in is 72°F.
However, they can survive in water temperatures as low as 60°F, but we use the term here is survive.
Your guppy will survive in the water temperature of 60°F but will be vulnerable to various diseases, and also, they will become inactive.
Guppies prefer to live in warm water with a temperature between 72-82°F.
Your guppies will live happily and thrive in this water temperature.
Make sure to provide your guppies with stable water parameters.
Providing your guppy with an adequate water condition with stable water parameters is also essential for their health and growth.
Make sure to provide your guppy with a water ph level of 6.8-7.8.
Provide all these requirements to your guppies, and your guppies will thrive and will grow beautifully.
Also read: Guppy Fish Minimum Water Temperature?
Can we keep our guppies in an outside pond?
Guppies will enjoy and love to live in an outside pond.
But, it entirely depends on your place’s climate when it comes to keeping our guppies in an outside pond.
If you are living in an area where the temperature doesn’t drop below 68-70°F during winters, then you can go with keeping guppies in an outside pond.
Setting up an outside pond for your guppies in the spring season when the temperature doesn’t drop below 64°F is only the option if you live in a climate where the temperature drops to the freezing level in winters.
In the spring and summer seasons, the sun will do its job by heating the water, which will remain hot also during the night, and you can keep your guppies in an outside pond for the whole summer and spring season.
In winters, you have to move guppies back from an outside pond to inside your home and place them in your home aquarium with a heater.
Also read: Can Guppy Survive In Muddy Water?
Is heater required in guppies aquarium?
We recommend adding a heater to your guppies aquarium.
Guppy prefers to live in stable water parameters with adequate water conditions.
Unstable water parameters will result in your guppy coming under stress, weakening their immunity.
Your guppies will be vulnerable to various diseases because of weak immunity.
It is essential to stable the water parameter of your guppies aquarium.
Not using a heater will make it difficult for you to stabilize your guppies aquarium’s water temperature, which is a serious issue. Your guppy can suffer various diseases because of unstable parameters.
Many guppy fish diseases are not treatable, and preventing your guppy from such conditions is essential. So, make sure to provide your guppies with a stable water parameter.
How can we manage the temperature without a heater?
You can do several things to keep the water warm on cold days without taking the help of a heater.
Adding aquarium lights
Adding aquarium light to your guppies aquarium will help you keep the water warm.
However, a planted tank needs appropriate lighting every day for some hours. So, it will do both of the work for you.
Adding light to your aquarium will also make it look attractive.
Providing direct sunlight
Direct sunlight will keep the water warm in your guppies aquarium.
Place the aquarium in a place where there is a source of direct sunlight.
You can keep the aquarium near the window to get direct sunlight.
Providing indirect sunlight
Indirect sunlight will also help you keep the water warm.
You can place the aquarium in a place where there is a source of indirect sunlight.
Placing near a hot place
Placing your aquarium near a hot place indoor like a kitchen will help you keep the water warm in your guppies aquarium.
We use multiple things in the kitchen that generate heat, which will keep the water warm.
You can also keep your guppies aquarium near the fireplace.
In winters, we usually arrange a sitting near the fireplace, and keeping your aquarium there will keep the aquarium water warm by the heat generated by the fireplace.
Insulating the existing heat
We can insulate the existing heat present in the aquarium with the help of paper or a thick towel.
Covering your tank with multiple layers of newspaper or covering it with a thick towel will ensure that the heat gets retained in the tank.
Conclusion:
The minimum water temperature in which guppy can live is 72°F.
Guppies can survive in a water temperature of as low as 60°F, but they will not live comfortably in these temperatures and will be vulnerable to various diseases.
Temperature below 72°F increases the possibility of your guppy coming under stress and weakens its immunity which can result in causing various diseases.
Guppies prefer to live in stable water parameters with adequate water conditions.
Reference: NCBI, ResearchGate