I often see people keeping fish of different origins in a single tank, completely ignoring the fact that each fish has different requirements. This ignorance results in fish getting sick and being unable to live a proper and healthy life.
Fish keeping may look fun and easy, but there are certain things that need to be done in a certain way to ensure that your fish stay healthy and grow properly.
The water quality of the fish tank is one of those things that needs to be altered according to the needs of each fish species. Water quality includes water temperature, the pH of the water, mineral content, and other things.
After seeing that many people were unaware of this, I decided to spread awareness about this issue. So in this blog, I will be covering one particular fish; goldfish.
What type of water do they need? What should be the water temperature, pH, and other important factors? So stay with me till the end and find out what the ideal living conditions for a goldfish are and how you can achieve them.
What Happens If You Put Goldfish In Saltwater?
The first thing that you need to remember is that a goldfish is a freshwater fish. This means that putting your goldfish in saltwater is equivalent to murdering your fish. Let me explain why I am saying this.
Freshwater fish have a high concentration of freshwater in their bodies. When you put them in salt water, the freshwater from the fish’s body starts to drain into the saltwater, causing them to get dehydrated, which results in the death of your goldfish.
Is Tap Water Good For Goldfish?
Mostly, the water that comes into our taps is sourced from a lake or a river and is usually freshwater, so the chances are that your goldfish will, in fact, thrive in tap water.
But to be safe, always condition your water and make sure that it does not contain any contamination that can harm your goldfish.
Make sure that the hardness of the water is not above the tolerance level of a goldfish, and if that is the case, then do the necessary filtration before putting your goldfish in it.
Best Types Of Water For Goldfish
The one thing that you need to remember regarding your goldfish is that it is a freshwater fish, so using saltwater in their aquarium is a big no. You can use tap water as well as filtered water or any kind of freshwater in your aquarium.
Although goldfish are very adaptable to their surroundings, there are some water conditions that you should try to maintain to ensure that your fish remain healthy and active.
The very first thing is the water temperature. Goldfish like to have a temperature of around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to maintain this temperature, you may need to include a heater in your fish tank.
The ideal water pH for your tank would be between 6.5 and 7.5. Goldfish do not like it if the water is too acidic or alkaline in nature. Also, make sure that the water that you are using is soft in nature.
One thing that you need to be very careful about is the ammonia levels of your water. If the ammonia content in the water is too high, this can cause ammonia poisoning, which may cause skin burns and other health problems for your goldfish.
Adding an air pump to the tank is also very important, as goldfish require oxygen to breathe. The air pump produces bubbles in the tank, which allow goldfish to breathe underwater.
How Often Do You Change Goldfish Water?
Monitoring water conditions and changing water on a regular basis is a very important part of fish care. A slight change in water conditions can lead to adverse effects for small and sensitive fish like goldfish.
I personally prefer changing the water in my fish tank every alternate day, but you can change the water in your fish tank once every three days.
You don’t necessarily change the entire water in the tank. Changing half of the water will be enough. Just make sure that you filter your water and condition it before you put your goldfish back in the water.
What Water Temperature Is Best For Goldfish?
Goldfish are considered as cold water fish, but the ambient temperature for a goldfish depends on what type of goldfish it is. Yes, there is more than one type of goldfish.
If we talk about fancy goldfish, the ambient temperature for this type of goldfish is around 68 to 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, the ambient conditions for a comet or a shubunkin goldfish are in the range of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
What pH Level Is Best For Goldfish?
Goldfish are very adaptable fish, but this in no way means that they can be kept in any conditions. The optimal water pH for a goldfish to live a healthy and active life ranges between 6.5 and 7.5.
If the pH of the tank is far off from this range, it will make your goldfish sluggish and cause it to lose its appetite. I would recommend that you get a pH testing kit to make sure you have the right water pH in your tank.
Do Goldfish Need An Air Pump?
Goldfish need to have enough oxygen for them to breathe. This is made possible by the moving water and the air bubbles that form under the water. This is made possible by using an air pump.
In some cases, it might not be necessary to install an air pump in your fish tank, but in most cases, goldfish are not able to survive without an air pump, and installing one is absolutely necessary.
Can Goldfish Live Without A Filter?
Contrary to popular belief that goldfish can not survive without a filter, goldfish do not require a filter and can absolutely live without one. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is that the water they live in is clean and does not contain any impurities.
Just make sure that you clean the fish tank on a regular basis, that there is nothing decaying in the fish tank, and that you change the water regularly.
Final Verdict:
In the end, I would say that goldfish are very easy to keep and have a great ability to adjust to their surroundings. But if you want your goldfish to live a healthy and active life, be sure to provide them with the ideal living conditions.
Don’t be sluggish, and clean the tank on a regular basis. Monitor the water conditions regularly. Make sure that the water quality is optimal for your goldfish. Also, make sure that you check for ammonia levels in your tank so you can avoid any ammonia poisoning.
Keep an eye out for any irregular behaviors, and if you see any, identify the cause of this change in behavior and make sure to eradicate it as soon as possible.
This will not only keep your fish healthy but will also enhance their beauty and make them live longer, grow bigger, and be more active.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1 – Do Goldfish Need Bottled Water?
No, goldfish do not need bottled water. You can easily fill your fish tank with tap water and condition it to reduce its hardness. Just make sure that the water is filtered and is clean from any contamination that could harm the goldfish.
#2 – Can Goldfish Live In Purified Water?
Yes. Goldfish can live in purified water. The only type of water that will cause a goldfish to die is saltwater, which causes the fish to dehydrate and die. Other than this, you can use any water, even tap water.
#3 – How Do You Prepare Water for Goldfish?
All you need to do is make sure that the water is clean and fresh. Check if the pH level is between 6.5 and 7.5 and has a temperature of around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
#4 – How Long Should Water Sit Before Adding Goldfish?
Once you have filtered your water and conditioned it to remove any chlorine and chloramine, leave your water for at least 24 hours. Let the water sit for a few days so that it can build up beneficial bacteria.
#5 – Is Distilled Water Ok For Fish?
Yes. You can use distilled water for your fish tank. Some fish do require certain minerals. In that case, you can add the minerals to the tank. But, using distilled water is perfectly fine, as there are some minerals left behind once the water evaporates.
