Heaters neccessary for corydora aenus catfish?

Question

I have two corydora aenus catfish. They are in a tank with goldfish. My questions is do I need to get a heater for the tank for the catsfish? Someone at Petco told me that this kind of catfish does not need a heater. I reminded him that they were from South America and the climate is tropical there. He told me that these kind of catfish inhabit the cool river bottoms of South America where it is usaully 60 degrees. I was wanting to know if that is accurate. I have had many tropical and cold waterfish over the years but this is my fist set of corydora catfish.

Update:

Thanks for answers everyone. The corys are doing just great with the goldies in their unheated tank.

BioGeek · Accepted Answer

That species should be kept at 65 to 72 degrees. It will tolerate warmer conditions during the breeding season.

I do not suggest you add a heater due to the goldfish which very much DO NOT want one.

If your water drops below 65 regulalry then you will have a problem with the cory cats. But they should tolerate 65 to 72 very well.


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Reference about the website from answer 4. Not every web site has accurate information. Sometimes information is passed between source to source and is wrong. In the case of c. aenus they come from Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela and live in moderate sized rivers. These are mountainous regions, and while tropical nations, do have colder climates. If the fish were caught in the lowlands, they could very well like water in the 70's. If they were from the mountains, then they will like cooler water. Because if the diversity of this species' range, if acclimated it will tolerate a wide range of temperature, but the largest populations are found in cooler water.

gaddygurldec · Answer

considering u have goldfish in the tank with them u probablly shouldn't get a heater.  but the guy at petco was wrong.  all corys live in warm water and should be kept in water from 70 to 80 degrees.  they need the warm water. also u might want to remove ur corys from the tank with the goldfish because goldfish have a bacteria in them that kills tropical fish(ie. corys, tetras, any tropical fish). goldfish aren't tropical fish they are coldwater fish.  anyways the bacteria can kill the corys.  if u need more advice go to www.fishgeeks.com.

nascarfan2438 · Answer

if they said its not needed, its probably not. if the tank can sustain a temp of 60 degrees without a heater, i think you should be fine. goldfish dont require a heater, they prefer the colder water as well. just remember to get the algae chips for food for the catfish. good luck.

n-i-c · Answer

extracted from the link below:

"They do best in temperatures between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit"

Might want to check a few other sites to see to compare.  Try to keep everyone in the tank as happy as possible.

? · Answer

incredibly no longer. Redtail Sharks are VERY territorial, and if and while the Cories get interior the shark's way, they are going to be attacked, and you will likely locate them with their barbels (whiskers) chewed off. it is in simple terms a undesirable concept except you have have been given a fifty 5 gallon tank the place the Cories could have room to get faraway from the shark.

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Heaters neccessary for corydora aenus catfish?

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