The Platy fish is an interesting species of fish that many people are unfamiliar with. They require a lot of attention and care but can be rewarding pets to own. One of the most common questions that new fish owners ask is, “Why are my Platy fish hanging out by the heater?”
The answer to this question is not simple, but we will try and simplify it for you. They like it because it provides comfort and warmth. If your tank has a strong current or a low temperature in the water, you will see your platy hang around near the heat source. This may also happen if you have recently introduced another platy into an aquarium with some other type of fish.
One question you may have is, “Why is my Platy fish hanging out by the heater?” This blog post will provide some answers for you!
Reasons Why Your Platy Fish Is Hanging Around The Heater
There are various reasons why your Platy fish is hanging around the heater. It could be due to comfort, blank tank, low temperature, strong current, or dirty tank with newly introduced platy and pregnancy.
Comfort
They feel comfortable with the heater as it provides a sense of security. Thus, they prefer to stay by the heater than anywhere else in the tank.
Blank Tank
If your Platy fish is staying near or at the heater, then there might be an issue with their environment, and you must check if anything is wrong with their habitat, such as a blank tank.
Low Temperature
If the temperature of your fish tank is low, then they might feel more comfortable in a warmer area such as by the heater rather than staying in an environment that is too cold for them to handle. So make sure that you maintain appropriate water temperature and check on it regularly if certain species of Platy fish and their babies are not getting affected.
Strong Current
If the water current is too strong for your Platy fish and they do not feel comfortable in it, then they might stay away from that area of the tank which has stronger water flow, such as near or around the heater. So make sure that you adjust your filter accordingly to avoid creating a strong current in the water.
Tank Is Dirty
If your fish tank is dirty or has uneaten food and other wastes, then they might feel more comfortable staying away from that area of the tank, which is particularly clean such as near to a heater. So make sure that you maintain a healthy environment by cleaning their tank regularly with an appropriate water conditioner.
Newly Introduced Platy
If you have recently introduced a new Platy fish to your tank, then it might be feeling insecure, and the heater is probably their first choice for shelter as they feel more comfortable around it. So make sure that you do not overcrowd your tank with different species of fish as some will eventually become predators of others.
Pregnancy
If your female Platy fish is pregnant, then she might be feeling more secure in a warmer environment such as by the heater, and that’s why they spend the most time near or at it compared to anywhere else in the tank. So make sure that you provide an appropriate shelter for her during this period to feel safe and comfortable.
How To Coax Your Platy Fish From Staying Away From Heater?
If your Platy fish is staying away from the heater, then there are various ways in which you can bring them near to it without harming or scaring them, such as improving water quality, using a heater guard, decorating the tank accordingly, adjusting the current, maintaining temperature and if all else fails then provide them with a comfortable shelter nearby where they can feel safe.
Improving Water Quality
If your Platy fish stays near the heater, it might be due to poor water quality. So make sure that you maintain appropriate water temperature and keep checking on it regularly as certain tropical species of fish such as platy can become more sensitive if there is a spike or rapid change in water temperature levels.
Use A Heater Guard
You can use a heater guard to protect your Platy fish from getting burnt by the hot surface of the heater. This will prevent them from touching it, and they will feel more comfortable near or around it.
Decorate Your Tank
If your tank is empty, then you must decorate it to make it look appealing for the fish, and they will feel more comfortable near the heater.
Adjust Current
To bring your Platy fish near or around the heater, then you can adjust the current of water accordingly, such as by reducing it if there is too much strong flow in that area which might be disturbing them. So make sure that you maintain appropriate water conditions for their health.
Maintain Temperature
If you have a tank heater, then it is important to maintain temperature as constant or appropriate because if the water temperature goes below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) for species of fish that are tropical in nature, such as platy, they will become uncomfortable and might feel more secure around the heater where there’s warmth and heat.
FAQ:
Do Platy Fish Need Heater?
The simple answer to this question is that no, Platy fish do not require a heater as they are tropical in nature and can survive even with the temperature of your room, which has an average temperature between 68-78 degrees Fahrenheit (20-26 degrees Celsius). So you need to maintain appropriate water conditions and if you have a tank heater, then make sure that it is not heating the water above 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).
Do Platy Fish Need Filter?
Yes, Platy fish do require a filter as they are constantly in motion due to their activity levels which might create excess food wastes and other debris. hence, they will need a filter to maintain appropriate water conditions. So make sure that you install the right type of filtration system as per your requirement, such as biological or mechanical, for the proper filtering process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you find your Platy fish hanging around near to the heater, then there might be various reasons for their behavior such as poor water quality which is making them feel unwell and hence seek the warmth of or around it. You can also check on whether they are pregnant or not because if so, then expect that they will spend most time towards the warmer areas of the tank to prevent themselves from feeling unwell.