I'l answer both questions in one, I am hoping the lower temp will calm them down and stop them laying, they are too young yet, do you think that will work ? I have had 3 lots of eggs and they eat them after a while, some were fertile some went white,... I have 6 in for pairing up and then I can take others back, I have 2 pairs for now, the other 2 will go back for more dosh.....lol,I think that 23.5 is fine but I would not go much lower than that. I keep my South American tanks around 27 in the summer and 26 in the winter.
Now, the real question, what do you mean, stop them from laying?
Btw, Ive heard of the "Lower Temp= no breeding" idea, it works for a while at first, but, the animal adapts and its body assumes that the temps it is experiencing are the natural temps and so it adjusts its bodily functions according to the temps, eventually they will breed either way.
I keep my Centrals at a base of 74 (23c) year round and in the summer the temp creeps up to 78-80 just based on the weather. I've notice no decreased aggression with the lower temp but I do get more and larger spawns with lower temps.
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My problem is I only have a 5g hospital tank for now, we are moving soon so don't want to set another tank up, I know your right but I don't want them to breed yet, so it could work to lower the temp and feed less, the other fish seem fine, the neon's are quite big and they have all grown up together, They are in good condition, if lowering the temp is going to cause problems do you think I should increase it.....