Are there any fish (other than goldfish) that I can put into a small aquarium without a heater? I'd like to get something small for my classroom, but would prefer to not use a heater since it would be left unattended so much. Any ideas? Thanks!
Fish for non-heated tank?
- Thread starter Jakmax
- Start date
White Clouds may be a good alternative. Also, the heater is there more to provide a constant water temp not just to provide warm enough water.
White Cloud Minnows would do fine in an unheated tank.
They are the most common I hear of. But I'm not sure about others.
They are the most common I hear of. But I'm not sure about others.
would this be in a cold room? how small of a tank? i think you might be able to get away with guppies if the aquarium is in a school (they are ususlly kept warm). (??) Maybe a betta? A betta and some white clouds? (depending on the size.)
Platys are well contained and hearty..and don't grow as big..perfect for a small aquarium and do pretty well in room temperature and fancy platys don't cost much and easy to take care of. Sorry I'm just biased because I like platies. White Clouds, mentioned earlier, are also great for room temp (70-75 degrees C)
Wow! Thanks, everyone! I had no idea there were so many options. Yes, the classroom is warm, so it's not like they would be in really cold water. Hmmm....decisions, decisions......
I've had Zebra Dainos in cold water and they didn't seem to mind....I'm not sure if they needed warmer water or not they did just fine in warm water till they became lunch 
What do you mean by 'unattended'? How long a time? I have a 5 in my office, and the fish can go for about a week without attention, but they do need to be fed and have regular water changes, even with the tank being planted. With juvenile fish, daily feedings are fairly important, as well.
Just some things to consider!
Just some things to consider!
The problem here is that you are talking about a tank without a heater as opposed to a coldwater tank. The fish mentioned are great for cooler water (though platies do just as well in warmer water). But I would still suggest a heater. Just make sure to buy a high quality heater that you can trust like Ebo Jagger. Then set it to a very low settign so that it only comes on if the water reaches 68F or so. That is what I do in my cool water tank with White Clouds.
There is nothing worse than drastic fluctuations for fish, even cold water tanks have to have some sort of temp control in them.
There is nothing worse than drastic fluctuations for fish, even cold water tanks have to have some sort of temp control in them.