Swordtails are peaceful, friendly tropical fish that has been able to land the list of most preferred aquarium fish species. They are a favorite among most aquarium fish-keeping hobbyists. Swordtails are also known as ideal beginner fish because they are very easy to take care of. The primary concern with swordtails is maintaining the right water temperature in the tank where they are placed. Being a tropical fish, can swordtails live in cold water?
Yes, swordtails can survive in cold water. But only survive, not live or thrive. Swordtails are tropical fish and their marked water preference is between 65-820F (18-280). Anything lower than 18 degrees will affect the performance of your fish. They will survive, but won’t be able to live a long, happy, and healthy life.
It is natural to be concerned about the living conditions of your fish. Maintaining the right water parameters is the most crucial step to proper fish care. Fish are delicate creatures and one way to make sure they thrive in your tank is to take care of their water temperature. In the case of swordtail fish, although they are considered to be hardy, they have a sweet spot where they will flourish best.
This article will address all the dilemmas of whether swordtails can live in cold water.
Can You Keep Swordtails In Cold Water?
Yes, you can keep swordtails in cold water. However, it is not suggested to introduce your swordtail to cold water. Swordtails are tropical fish and enjoy warmer water temperatures.
We have seen swordtails survive up to a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius. But, that’s not the best-suited temperature for your swordtail. In such temperatures, swordtails can just survive but cannot live to their fullest in cold water.
Any temperature below 18 degrees is considered extreme for swordtails where they cannot function properly. Low temperature i.e. cold water is not suitable for swordtails and might bring along fatal consequences like diseases and even death.
If you want your swordtails to flourish in your tank, then you must keep them at the temperature that’s ideal for them.
The Ideal Temperature Range For Swordtails
What’s the ideal temperature in which swordtails can truly thrive? The ideal temperature range for swordtails is between 65-820F.
65 degrees is the lowest temperature at which a swordtail can survive. Anything lower than that can be dangerous for your swordtail. In lower water temperatures, your swordtails will be at constant risk of developing diseases.
As mentioned above, swordtails can survive even at 55 degrees. However, they lose their potential, become inactive, and deteriorate their health and even appearances.
Likewise, the too warm temperature is also not good for your swordtail. Anything above 86 degrees can be critical for your swordtail. They can tolerate temperatures as high as 90 degrees, but it is not ideal for them.
Hence, the best-suited temperature is between 65-820F where your fish can truly enjoy the water without any issues.
What Happens When Swordtails Are Kept In Cold Water?
When you keep swordtails at a temperature beyond their ideal range, they may develop various problems. Not maintaining the proper water temperature will hamper your fish, making them susceptible to diseases and other various problems.
Some of the issues that might arise as a result of keeping swordtails in cold water are as such:
Problem In Breeding
Swordtails are less likely to breed in cold water. Swordtails are efficient breeders, but that is only possible in warm waters.
In cold water, the fish becomes passive, hence it creates problems conducting the mating rituals too. This reduces the breeding practice of your fish.
Swordtails breed best when kept in tropical freshwater tanks. The appropriate temperature for a swordtail to breed is around 77oF (250C). Anything below that might cause complications in the breeding process.
Even if swordtails manage to breed in cold water, there are chances that swordtails fries will not survive in such temperatures. Swordtail fries need a temperature between 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit for proper growth and development.
Risk Of Diseases
When your swordtails are kept in cold water, they increase the risk of getting infected and developing various diseases.
The cooler the water, the more the chance for your swordtails to catch diseases. Your swordtails will end up getting sick repeatedly in cold water temperatures. They can catch infections, parasites, and dangerous diseases like ich, fin rot, cottonmouth, etc.
If your fish continue to get sick, and do not receive proper treatment, it will lead to death. Now, I am pretty sure you do not want your fish to die.
Thus, make sure to place your swordtails in waters that are ideal for them. Warmer waters keep them happy and there are fewer chances of getting sick.
Stress
The cold water temperature will weaken your swordtail’s immunity. In cold water, which is not best suited for them, they lose appetite. All these results in stress.
Stress in fish is a serious problem. Stress can cause various behavioral issues in your fish like bullying and aggression. This can hamper other fish in the tank too.
Similarly, it can cause diseases and even death in extreme cases. Hence, it is not a very good idea to stress your fish out by keeping them in cold water.
You can prevent your swordtails from being stressed by keeping them in a tank that has freshwater with warmer temperatures, is heavily planted, and has proper substrate content.
Slow Growth
One of the most important reasons to maintain ideal living conditions for fish is that it directly affects their growth and development. The preferred living condition of swordtails is warmer water. Swordtails that live in warmer temperatures grow out to be healthy and active fish.
When you keep swordtails at a warm temperature, they will be less prone to diseases, and less stressed. This will help them grow strong and immune which is impossible if swordtails live in cold water.
On the contrary, swordtails that are kept in cold water are constantly sick, stressed, and weak. All this hinders their ability to properly develop. Your swordtails won’t grow into a healthy adults when kept in cold water.
Inactiveness
Swordtails are active fish species. The heat helps them do their activities actively. They are cold-blooded and warmer water temperature gives them the best activity levels.
Therefore, when you keep your swordtail in cold water, they tend to become inactive. The lack of proper heat makes them weak and their activity decreases.
Swordtails are active swimmers and like to engage with their tank mates. When you keep them in cold water, you will deprive them of this time. Thus, cold water is not a very good choice for swordtails.
Do Swordtails Need Tank Water-Heater?
Yes, it is best to add a water heater for your swordtails. We know that swordtails are tropical fish and like warm water from temperatures 65-82 degrees Fahrenheit.
Swordtails can survive without a heater, but it is recommended to add a heater in your swordtail fish tank. Water heaters will help you retain the ideal temperature. When the temperature is constant, your fish will be able to thrive.
Tank water heaters will help to keep the temperatures stable, so they will do only good to your fish. Even the slightest drop in temperature can have fatal results, and a water heater will prevent those consequences.
Since, we need a water-heater to help swordtails live to their fullest potential, keeping them in cold water would not be very reasonable.
Why You Should Use A Heater With Swordtails?
As mentioned above, swordtails need stable temperatures. The primary reason for adding a heater to your tank is to help you monitor the temperatures.
Sudden fluctuations in temperature will lead your swordtails to experience stress. When under stress, your swordtail will lose its appetite and immunity. As a result, they will be prone to various diseases. The diseases can be hard to treat, which can lead to the death of your pet.
Thus, for the proper functioning of your fish, it is recommended you avoid cold temperatures and add water heaters to keep your warm temperature stable.
Do Swordtails Tank Need Two Aquarium Heaters?
Yes, adding two heaters in your swordtails tank can be very advantageous. Aquarium heaters have proven to be the most useful equipment when you have tropical fish in your tank. You must keep two heaters if you have tropical fish like the swordtails.
One aquarium heater might not effectively be able to keep the temperatures stable in your tank. Even narrow fluctuations in the temperature can hamper your swordtail. Thus, two heaters will ensure that the temperature is stable.
Similarly, when you have two heaters in the tank, one of them will always work as an immediate backup when another is damaged or faulty. This is for the safety of your fish and is highly recommended.
Things You Can Do To Keep The Tank Water Warm For Swordtails Without Heater
However, if you decide to keep your swordtails without a heater, here are some of the must-dos:
Provide Sufficient Lighting:
Adding lights to your aquarium will not only make your aquarium brighter but will also emit warmth and heat to the tank.
Retain The Heat Inside The Tank:
By insulating your tank, you can trap the heat inside. Insulate your tank with clothes like blankets or newspapers so that your tank will not lose any heat.
Keep Your Tank In Comparatively Warmer Room At Constant Temperature:
If you are not using a heater, you should put your tank in a room that is comparatively warmer than other rooms, like the kitchen.
However, make sure this room has a constant temperature because keeping tanks in warmer places for a prolonged time also might fluctuate your tank water temperature.
These tips will help you keep the water warm up to some extent, which will help your swordtails will live happily.
Can Cold Water Kill Swordtails?
Yes, cold water can kill your swordtail fish. The cold water would not be a direct reason, however, the consequences that follow could lead to death.
We have learned above that keeping swordtails in cold water will introduce your fish to many risk factors like diseases, loss of immunity, inactiveness, stress, etc. While cold water directly might not cause death, prolonged issues as such will definitely make your fish weak and cause death.
Swordtails are freshwater tropical fish. You must keep them at a warm temperature so that thrive.
FAQs
When it comes to keeping fish in cold water, there are a few questions that hobbyists frequently ask. Below are few questions that I have tried to answer.
Can Swordtails Live In Pond?
You can keep swordtails in the outdoor pond if the temperature outside is within its ideal range. Swordtails can live in water with a temperature that ranges from 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. If you live around the tropical region and the climate is warm, your swordtail might be able to survive in the outdoor pond.
However, if you live in an area with climates that drop below 180C, you must abstain from keeping your swordtails outside. Swordtails cannot live in cold water ponds
You can keep your swordtails in outdoor ponds only when the temperature does not fall below 18 degrees Celsius, regardless of the season.
Fish That Can Live In Cold Water
If you want to live in a place where temperatures are not warmer, then tropical fish like swordtails should not be your first choice.
There is plenty of fish that thrive in cold water. With such fish, you should not have to worry about all the issues. The fish that grow healthily in cold water are Goldfish, Clown Killifish, Rosy Barb, Hillstream Loaches, Pearl Danio, Minnows, etc.
These all are equally amazing fish that prefer cold water which will save you the trouble of worrying too much.
Conclusion
For any fish to survive, you should try your best to provide them with favorable living conditions. Swordtails are tropical fish and do not do well in temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
A slight but sudden drop in temperature can bring many complications to your swordtail’s health. Thus, a water heater can be an excellent option to prevent any issues.
Swordtails are amazing little fish who need minimum care if you take care of all the requirements. They will flourish in a tropical fish tank. You as well as your other fish pets will love to have them around.
