Gourami Temperature

[welchrock]

I have a 46G tank that is mostly Gourami's (Platinum and Opaline), so my loyalties are to them.

My question is - what is the best temperature to keep them at? I have a digital thermometer and two heaters working simultaneously, so small tweaks are do-able. I know what books say but I want to hear from someone that has first-hand experience.

Right now the temperature of the top of the tank fluctuates from 80.0 - 81.5 throughout the day (rises as the light heats up the surface).

Thanks for any help!

[The Tick]

Greetings, welchrock! Good choice on the gouramis. They are wicked pretty! I prefer to keep my aquaria at or just below 80, so I would probably keep it 78 at the coolest so it would heat up to just below 80. That said, 81.5 isn't going to make or break any problems...that's just my own preference.

[Blue Cray]

78 to 82 is ideal.

[welchrock]

Thanks Tick!

Would a temp of 82, versus 78 result in more activity and friskier behavior? mine are fairly peaceful most of the time but the less stress the better - so i'm thinking of slowly taking it down to 78.

[Blue Cray]

higher temps help kkeep the threat of ich down.

[welchrock]

Any other pros/cons of higher versus lower temperatures?

I've always heard that lower temps will result in a slower metabolism - slowing down aging slightly but also slowing down the fishes immune system.

I haven't specifically heard any negatives of higher temps - but in my own beliefs I'd think that they would lead to more physical activity and therefore more nipping/fighting etc.