Goldfish definitely need a filter to control their water parameters. Do goldfish need bubbles? This article, Aquatic 247 provides answers to this question and more.
What is an air pump?
An air pump does not filter water. It is simply blowing bubbles into the water. It sits on the outside of the aquarium and has a piece of tubing that will run from the air pump into the water in your tank and connect to something called an air stone.
Air is pushed out of the air stone’s tiny holes and along the tube by the air pump. This airflow produces bubbles that float when the air stone is immersed in your tank’s water.
Do goldfish need bubbles?
Do goldfish need an air pump? It’s entirely up to personal taste whether or not to install an air pump in your goldfish tank. Selecting an additional one won’t be detrimental, and the water’s oxygen content won’t be excessive. It won’t add much, though, aside from improving the appearance of your tank.
Actually, surface disturbance aids in the water’s ability to dissolve oxygen. There are other ways to generate turbulence besides air pumps.
Do goldfish need oxygen? The answer is yes. Most of the time, the turbulence created by the filter’s flow will be sufficient to add lots of oxygen to the water. You can be sure that your fish is getting enough oxygen to breathe.
Are there times when an air pump really is needed?
Do goldfish need a bubbler? As we stated earlier, an air pump is not necessary “in most cases.”
So are there any cases where an air pump is definitely needed? The answer is yes. Below are some necessary cases.
The water appears very still
The easiest way to judge surface movement is simply to look at the water. Your filter is not causing much movement on the surface because it is not the right size for the aquarium.
The tank has a small surface area
Since most of the oxygen in the water dissolves at the surface, if you have a tall tank with a small surface area, you need to add an air pump to maximize surface disturbance.
The water temperature is high
Although warm water is preferred by goldfish, warmer water has less oxygen in it than cooler water. Thus, think about getting an air pump if you have expensive goldfish or if your tank becomes warm throughout the summer.
How can I tell if the oxygen in my goldfish is enough?
Here are the symptoms you should pay attention to:
Goldfish are panting on the surface
One of the earliest indications that there is not enough oxygen in the water is this. The issue is that it’s frequently mistaken for typical goldfish behavior. Consequently, we must take note of the fact that healthy goldfish sporadically “gasp” at the surface. You should cause greater surface disturbance if you see them attempting to “pant” regularly.
Goldfish decreased activity
In fact, goldfish are a very active species, always in motion. Seeing goldfish standing still for most of the time is a big red flag that something’s wrong.
Fish gill movements increase
If you see goldfish gills moving more than normal, as if they are breathing heavily, they probably need more oxygen. So, any enthusiastic goldfish keeper should be aware of the natural behavior of their pets.
Ways to increase oxygen flow in your fish tank
Here are a few other recommendations to maintain optimum oxygen levels in goldfish underwater homes.
Add a filter
The best approach to make sure your tank is safe and clean is to install a filter. It is advised to use an external filter rather than an internal one.
Let’s take the tank door size into account when selecting a filter in order to determine the filter’s size and capacity.
Add aquatic plant
Aquatic plants also help your goldfish absorb gases that could eventually harm them. In addition to giving oxygen and lowering the level of nitrates that may be harmful to your fish, aquatic plants also help the plants take root in the tank when they are placed on a gravel substrate.
Do not overfeed your fish
Overfeeding is not the best choice for the overall health of any animal. Underfeeding is preferable to overfeeding your fish because, in an aquatic environment, uneaten food just ends up as waste. Give your goldfish as much food as it can finish in a minute, but don’t give it more to prevent accumulation and growing carbon dioxide.
Invest in a bigger tank
Your fish will be able to live longer and grow more in a tank with more surface area. Oxygen flows more freely in a tank with a larger surface area because oxygen enters through the water’s surface. In a smaller area, the goldfish waste will accumulate more quickly, thickening the water and raising the CO2 levels.
In conclusion
Do goldfish need air? While goldfish might not always require an air pump, they will undoubtedly require one if they run into any of the previously listed circumstances. The open water surface of a large aquarium will facilitate gas exchange.
