I want to get a little desk top setup without a heater, and want to know what kinds of fish I can add, besided bettas and goldfish. I live in Southern Cali and the temperatures here (if it matters) are pretty mild; I would say low 40's in winter and high 90's in summer, at the most.
Which species of fish don't need a heater?
- Thread starter meangene714
- Start date
Contrary to what LFSs do with their bettas, bettas actually do better with heat. Bettas are tropical fish, not temperate.
The only fish I can think of that will fit in a little desk tank (less than 10 gallons) and will do well in lower temperatures are White Cloud Minnows. They are quite undemanding, and not expensive.
HTH
-Richer
The only fish I can think of that will fit in a little desk tank (less than 10 gallons) and will do well in lower temperatures are White Cloud Minnows. They are quite undemanding, and not expensive.
HTH
-Richer
I wouldn't put guppies in anything less than 10 gallons, and at that would choose all one gender to prevent a population explosion.
For something a little more unusual than mountain minnows, you might try to find killifish. They're small and do well in room temperature water, according to what research I have done on them. One of our killie experts might be able to give a better view on keeping them, but from what i can tell they are beautiful, colorful little guys that don't demand a lot in the way of your time or resources to be happy. They are a bit tough to find in stores, though....
For something a little more unusual than mountain minnows, you might try to find killifish. They're small and do well in room temperature water, according to what research I have done on them. One of our killie experts might be able to give a better view on keeping them, but from what i can tell they are beautiful, colorful little guys that don't demand a lot in the way of your time or resources to be happy. They are a bit tough to find in stores, though....
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What's the temp in the room? I doubt it gets down to 40, and would hope it wouldn't get up to 90. The temp of the room will be more important than the temp outside. My office has very few fluctuations in temp, but I do still have a heater in my 5.
Depending on what size desktop setup you're looking for, and if you'll plant it or not, look at paradise fish. Probably only one, as they can be aggressive, but are pretty and have a personality. They prefer planted tanks, but should be okay without plants, as long as you give them some cover. They will tolerate temps from 65-80, but prefer low 70's.
Depending on what size desktop setup you're looking for, and if you'll plant it or not, look at paradise fish. Probably only one, as they can be aggressive, but are pretty and have a personality. They prefer planted tanks, but should be okay without plants, as long as you give them some cover. They will tolerate temps from 65-80, but prefer low 70's.
I wouldn't be getting white clouds if the temps are getting up to 90 and staying there for any length of time. But as Orion Girl mentions you have to look at the overall average temp range inside. If it stay around the low 60's to the high 70's (as it probably will with air conditioning) then white clouds will do well.
Sorry to jump in here, but I'm curious why guppies would need at least a ten gallon. I have one male guppy in a 2 1/2 gallon tank. He seems content, but if he really needs a bigger tank I'll give him away, since I won't spend lots of $$ for a new setup for him. Could you elaborate on that statement?
Wasn't my comment, but the usual reason to keep guppies in a larger tank is the breeding issue--they can quickly fill a tank. Or, with multiple males (no breeding), they can be aggressive and in a small space kill each other. This also applies to a mix in a small tank--if the male:female ratio isn't ideal, the males can kill females that have no place to escape into.
A single male in a small tank is obviously exempt from those issues.
A single male in a small tank is obviously exempt from those issues.
Shekoi
Trying to start up again
NO! to gold orfe they can grow very big and like large ponds to swim, they also like to shoal and jump after insects.
i'd go for the white clouds, can get them in gold and the normal blue/grey colour. i really enjoyed mine when i had them.
could even try zebra danios they don't mind cooler water as long as it doesn't drop below 65F ish.
i'd go for the white clouds, can get them in gold and the normal blue/grey colour. i really enjoyed mine when i had them.
could even try zebra danios they don't mind cooler water as long as it doesn't drop below 65F ish.