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When you’re setting up an aquarium to keep Platys in you’re bound to ask yourself a lot of questions about what your fish are going to need. I know that I did. I was full of questions about how to look after them properly.
One of the many questions I asked myself was ‘Do My Platys Need A Heater In Their Tank?’.
Platys are naturally a warm water fish. They typically originate from Central America, the surrounding area, and as far down as Southern Mexico. Because of their origins most Platys are kept in a tropical aquarium that uses a heater to keep things pleasantly warm. Whether a heated tank is essential though will depend on a few things. And what kind of temperature should you heat the tank to anyway? I’ve got some handy tips for you on water temperature for Platys that will help you to decide whether you need to heat your tank or not.
Do Platys Need A Heated Tank?
I found this a genuinely interesting and important question because Platys are a tropical fish so warmer waters are their natural habitat.
But does that apply to all Platy fish that are aquarium bred?
My Platys parents were originally in a tropical aquarium. I say originally because by the time my son took them on from an elderly neighbour they hadn’t been heated for some time.
I know this might sound bad. But the neighbour who wanted to rehome the fish was left with the fish tank after her husband had died. The fish were her husband’s hobby and she knew very little about fishkeeping apart from that they needed feeding.
Despite this they had survived well with the minimum of losses.
So Do You Need A Heated Aquarium To Keep Platys?
This is one of those ‘Yes And No’ answers. Because whether you need a heater or not will depend on a few things.
Yes If . . . . .
If the Platys you want to buy have been reared in a heated aquarium by your Pet Store, Dealer or Breeder then you should have a heater in your fish tank.
No If . . . . .
If you choose Platys that have been reared in a temperate environment by the Pet Store, Dealer or Breeder you won’t need a heated aquarium.
But . . . . .
It is possible to acclimatise Platy fish from tropical to temperate and vice versa. However it’s a long process because an abrupt change in temperature is harmful, even deadly, to the fish. If you do want to change your aquarium from one to the other it’s best to get some professional advice from your supplier and follow that advice closely so that you don’t lose any of your Platy in the process.
Also . . . . .
If you have a temperate tank in your home you will need to take your country’s natural climate into account along with how warm you keep your home all year round.
If the country you live in has an all year round milder climate, and your home generally stays at a pleasantly warm temperature, your Platys are likely to be fine without a heater.
However, if your winter months are cold, or exceptionally cold for long periods, you will probably need a heater in your Platy tank. Even if you only need to use it during colder weather to keep the water temperature comfortable for your fish it’s worth investing in one.
There’s lots of aquarium heaters available to suit your tank capacity and your fish’s needs.
Get yourself an aquarium thermometer too so that you can keep a check on the water temperature. That way you’ll know when it’s time to switch the heater on.
What Water Temperature Do Platy Fish Prefer?
Although you might not necessarily need a heater in your Platy tank it’s good to know what temperature your fish prefer if you do heat the tank.
Opinions do vary a bit about the optimum temperature for a Platy aquarium and the recommended range is fairly wide
Here’s a general guide for you to use:
68 – 78 Degrees Fahrenheit (20 – 25 Celcius)
So if your tank stays between these markers your Platys will be comfortable. Even if the water temperature is a little higher or lower in general, Platys can tolerate the difference really well as long as the temperature change is gradual.
It’s worth remembering that the water temperature in the wild doesn’t remain stable. Water temperature naturally drops at night and warms up during the day. And water temperature changes with the seasons too. Which is an indication that Platy fish cope well in cooler water temperatures.
It’s also worth noting that Platys were kept in aquariums for many years before heated tanks became popular and easily available.
So as I said earlier whether to heat your tank or not is a ‘Yes and No’ situation.
Making the initial decision about keeping tropical or temperate Platys right from the start is probably the best way to go. And if you’re adding Platy fish to your established community tank choose your new fish with your community tank’s usual temperature in mind. That way you won’t lose your Platy because of an abrupt change in water temperature.
Do Live Plants In A Platy Tank Need A Heater?
Just like the Platy fish most aquarium plants are pretty adaptable. While it’s true that some plants should definitely be kept in a heated tank there’s lots that thrive well in temperate conditions.
And of course there’s some plants that only do well in the cold water of outdoor fish ponds.
Here’s A Few Plants Often Recommended For Use In A Platy Tank
- Java Moss
- Java Ferns
- Hornwort
- Duckweed
- Anubias
The above plants are all considered easy maintenance aquarium plants. They are also considered to be fine in both heated and unheated indoor tanks.
But, if you go for the Duckweed it’s best to choose a larger leaf variety. Or you’ll end up with a tank surface that looks like it’s covered in slime.
Even though some plants do okay in both heated and unheated aquariums the difference in water temperature from their preferred habitat can have an effect on their growth pattern, and also their ability to flower.
So the trick to keeping aquarium plants healthy is to get some expert advice from your supplier. If you’re buying your plants online do a little research first, or read the details on care, before you buy.
After all it’s important to know what your live plants will need from you before you head for the checkout.
What About Artificial Aquarium Plants?
Of course, not everyone wants a live planted aquarium. So it’s good to know that Platys do well in a tank that has artificial plants instead.
Although artificial plants don’t provide the added oxygenation and filtration benefits that live plants do, they still provide shelter for fry and resting places for the adult Platys, while adding colour and interest to your tank.
There’s the added bonus that water temperature isn’t an issue.
So whether you choose to heat your aquarium or not these plants won’t mind.
Artificial plants are also easy to keep clean because you can remove them from the tank to wipe off excess algae and other forms of messy build up. The process is a little trickier with a live planted aquarium.
A word of caution though.
Avoid artificial plants that have spiky or rough edges. By doing that you will reduce the chance of injury to your Platy fish as they dart around the tank and through the plants. A flesh wound can lead to infection or worse.
So check the texture of the plant before you buy it.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t have ‘spiky looking’ artificial plants in your aquarium. It just means that you need to do a risk assessment on them first.
Better safe than sorry.
You can also combine both live and artificial plants in your tank setup
Just be sure to choose the live plants that are best suited to your aquarium’s water temperature and conditions.