Newsletter - Pet Trade Xtra - Issue 42 - OATA issues advice on keeping tropical fish in unheated conditions

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OATA issues advice on keeping tropical fish in unheated conditions

Aquatic trade body OATA has created new guidance to help retailers answer questions on whether tropical fish can be kept in unheated conditions.

The advice document, which can be downloaded from its website, is there to help shop owners who may get asked by their customers about this issue.

The guidance lists the fish species which are not suitable for keeping in an aquarium that does not have a heater and those that may tolerate this, subject to certain conditions.

“We've been asked on a number of occasions about whether species that are generally regarded as tropical should be kept in unheated aquaria,” said Chief Executive Keith Davenport.

“The species under consideration are usually described as tropicals but may be described as temperate because they can live quite happily at lower temperatures than would normally be found in heated aquaria.

“To help with those questions from hobbyists, we've written the guidance document for retailers to give the best advice when asked. In the guidance, we outline the species we don't think are suitable for unheated aquaria and a list of the species we think can tolerate these conditions.

“We also make clear in the advice that we’re talking about unheated aquariums that are kept in centrally heated rooms, and if retailers are in any doubt then they should always err on the side of caution.

“We’ve already updated OATA members on this guidance but feel it will be of use to all retailers if they wish to have a look at the guidance document. And we think that if anyone is of a different opinion on any of the species then it would be a good idea to get all your ducks in a row to defend that position.”

The guidance document can be found in Useful Information in the Fishkeepers’ section of the website. Click here to view the information.

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