Do goldfish need a filter?

Yes. Goldfish, as well as most fish, need a filter. It helps pump oxygen into the water and keeps the tank cleaner for longer.

Can goldfish live without a filter?

The belief that goldfish need a filter is incorrect. Goldfish don't actually need filtration and can live long lives, as you may have seen, without filtration. The longest-lived goldfish, Tish, lived to 42 years old in a regular fishbowl.

Can a goldfish live without a filter or air pump?

As it has been stated, goldfish do not always require an air pump to survive. It can do well in a tank that is well oxygenated for as long as it normally can. As long as there is enough surface movement that translates to oxygen, then the goldfish can live just fine without an air pump.

How long will goldfish live without a filter?

A fish live without a filter for a maximum of seven days and a minimum of three days. A filter helps clean the water over and over again, so the toxins in it don't settle down. But that doesn't make the filter a necessity for fish survival.

How long can goldfish live with a filter?

When we're discussing the scenarios of an average-sized fishbowl, your goldfish can lack oxygen and meet its death within 12 to 48 hours without an air pump/water filter. Without a water filter, your goldfish could suffer in ammonia. Without an air pump, your goldfish will likely lack the oxygen needed to survive.

Do goldfish need a filter?

Can goldfish live with just an air pump?

New goldfish keepers often see air pumps in goldfish tanks and assume that they are strictly required and that the fish will suffocate without one. However, it's not quite that simple. You may be surprised to hear that all of those bubbles from the air pump don't actually add much oxygen to the water at all.

Can a goldfish live in tap water?

Goldfish can only live in tap water when it has been properly treated to remove harmful chemicals. What is this? Tap water contains chemicals that will kill all of the 'good bacteria' in your tank. Good bacteria develops through a process called cycling, which we talk about in more detail here.

What fish do not need filters?

What does a goldfish need in a tank?

Goldfish prefer their water between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, goldfish do well in soft water, meaning its alkalinity is higher than its acidity. A goldfish thrives when their water's pH is between 7.0 and 7.4. Goldfish do well in planted tanks.

How can I oxygenate my water without a pump?

One of the easiest ways to aerate the water in your aquarium without a pump is to use a pitcher or cup. Simply fill a pitcher or cup with the aquarium water, lift it up nice and high, and pour the water back in. The water will pick up oxygen on the way down to the tank, thus inserting oxygen right into the water.

Can goldfish live alone in a bowl?

Goldfish cannot live without oxygen

Goldfish take in air via two main methods: they can get it straight from the water by processing the oxygen through their gills, or they can go up to the surface of the bowl and take in the oxygen in the air through their mouth. Goldfish need oxygen to thrive and live a happy life!

Is it cruel to keep a goldfish in a bowl?

The Problem with Goldfish Bowls

Unfortunately, despite traditions, experts generally agree that most goldfish bowls are unsuitable for goldfish – keeping goldfish in one can be considered inhumane.

What size tank do I need for 2 goldfish?

Based on the rules above, the goldfish tank size we recommend for two goldfish is: 42 gallons for two Common goldfish. That's 30 gallons for the first fish and 12 additional gallons for the second fish.

Do goldfish like to be in pairs?

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are social animals and when kept in groups can be seen regularly interacting with other goldfish. Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy.

Do I need a heater for goldfish?

All Goldfish are temperate fish and don't absolutely require a heater, unlike fish like Discus that come from the steamy tropics. But Fancy Goldfish sometimes can't take sudden shifts in temperature like their ancestors can and almost never down to near-freezing.

Are goldfish easy to take care of?

Goldfish are one of the most common fish that beginner aquarists start with, but you might be surprised to learn that they're also one of the trickiest. Far from being low maintenance and easy to take care of, they are quite sensitive and they need specialised care. Many goldfish never receive this care.

Do goldfish need stones in their tank?

And the answer is that goldfish don't need substrate. There's nothing essential about having a substrate and goldfish can survive quite healthily and happily without one. So, as goldfish don't require a substrate, you could choose to simply leave the bottom of your goldfish tank bare.

Do goldfish get lonely?

However, we can say that it is very unlikely that goldfish get lonely. What is this? Goldfish are just not the same as humans – they're not social animals in the same way that we are, and they don't have the same capacity to get bored or long for companionship.

What fish is low maintenance?

Mollies and platys are very easy fish to care for and come in many varieties and colors. They can be kept in schools and grow to about three inches in length. We recommend starting with a common variety that is widely available, such as a black molly or red platy.

What's the easiest fish to take care of?

How often should I change my goldfish water?

To keep your fish healthy, you should change at least half of the water in the bowl or aquarium every 3 days.

Can I use bottled water for my goldfish?

Putting a goldfish in chlorinated tap water, bottled or distilled water, or water that is too acidic or alkaline, can be deadly, Ponzio said. Ponzio recommends buying a solution at a pet store that removes chlorine, adds nutrients and minerals, or measures acidity.

How long should water sit before adding goldfish?

After purchasing your new aquarium, make sure to set it up, add water, substrate and plants and allow it to settle for at least 24 - 48 hours before adding fish.