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All aquatic life requires a form of aeration inside their aquarium. Oxygen is essential for goldfish, and they need it to carry out basic bodily functions. An aeration system is important and will provide oxygen to the aquarium. Well-aerated water that is kept fresh and clean is one of the best ways to keep a goldfish healthy. They need as much oxygen as possible in the water, which is obtained through good surface movement, which is why all goldfish need an air pump.
Oxygen is also essential for the beneficial bacteria growing in the filter media. These bacteria turn toxic ammonia into nitrates and help protect goldfish from harmful waste toxins in the water.
The 5 Signs Your Goldfish Requires More Oxygen
- Gulping at the surface of the water. They try to take in as much oxygen as possible at the water’s surface.
- Rapid gill movement can indicate that your goldfish is working extra hard to take in enough oxygen.
- Laying lethargic at the bottom of the aquarium means that your fish is suffocating from the lack of aeration in the tank.
- If the water is stagnant, there will be no gas exchange, and your goldfish requires an aeration system.
- A goldfish that appears to be yawning constantly is a sign it cannot take in valuable amounts of oxygen in the water and is gasping below the surface to take in more oxygen. Remember that goldfish do not yawn as humans do, and it is usually a sign of gill parasites or poor oxygen levels in the water.
The Amount of Oxygen Goldfish Require
To put it simply, goldfish require a lot of oxygen. For this reason, you need to place various aeration systems throughout the tank. They should also not be placed in bowls or small spaces where the water’s surface is significantly smaller than the rest of the aquaria.
Goldfish are large and active fish that quickly absorb oxygen in the water. This is another reason goldfish should have large tanks. The bigger the tank, the more dissolved oxygen is available for the goldfish to take in.
Overcrowding can also cause the goldfish to compete for oxygen. Stocking the goldfish tank correctly ensures each can breathe properly and take in oxygen with little effort.
How Temperature Affects Oxygen Levels
Cold water holds more oxygen than warm water. Since goldfish are temperate-water fish, they should be in a tank with a temperature ranging from 17°C to 24°C. Goldfish are used to taking in more oxygen because they originate from cold water.
If the temperature is frequently warm to over 25°C, your goldfish will struggle to retain oxygen. Tropical fish are adapted to less oxygen and can handle warm water with minimal oxygen issues.
How Goldfish Breathe
Goldfish breathe through their gills, which move in synchronization with their mouth. They draw in the oxygen through the gills and expel carbon dioxide. The gill flaps will open and close to let oxygenated water in, and this helps your goldfish breathe effectively in an aquatic environment. Goldfish do not have lungs as mammals do, and their mouth and gills are the primary external body movements to take in oxygen.
Types of Aeration for Aquariums
As the years have passed and fish keepers have found new ways to oxygenate an aquarium, various aeration systems are available.
- Some filters come with a built-in spray bar or waterfall system. This encourages surface movement but should be paired with an air stone to achieve maximum aeration in the water.
- An air stone and air pump are classic tools to move the water’s surface with a cascade of bubbles. They are among the most popular, cheapest, and effective ways of aerating an aquarium.
- Bubble walls are usually a large strip mimicking the same aspect of an air stone. They have holes where the air pump pushes air through to create a wall of bubbles that oxygenates a larger surface area than standard bubblers.
- Some companies have devised ways to aerate the water while adding a decorative touch to the aquarium. These include bubbling decorations like a diver, plant, volcano, and other creative decorations that hook up to an air pump.
The Importance of Surface Area
Oxygen enters the water through the surface, which makes it essential to have a proportionate aquarium. Goldfish do best in a rectangular aquarium because of the amount of surface area the tank design offers.
When using an aeration system, the surface movement lets oxygen inside, which the goldfish use up and quickly replenish.
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From diagnosing illnesses and providing correct treatments to proper nutrition, tank maintenance and water quality advice, this book will help you to ensure your goldfish are happy and to be the best goldfish keeper you can be.
Tall cylindrical tanks are not suitable for goldfish. Oxygen will rarely reach the bottom of the aquarium, causing the goldfish to stay near the surface.
The Function of an Air Pump
Air pumps are usually electrical boxes plugged into an outlet. The air pump is connected to aquarium-grade airline tubing, which is then placed inside a tank and connected to an air stone. When the air pump is switched on, it pumps air at high speeds through the airline tubing and the small porous holes in the air stone. Bubbles will emerge and oxygenate the surface.
Remember to keep the air pump above the water level in case the power goes out, and the water flows through the tubing and into the air pump, which will break as a result. Never dry run an air pump. You will quickly burn the motor, and it will no longer work. Always have the tubing and air stone connected and submerged in water when you switch it on.
Conclusion
Oxygen is important to goldfish, and they need constant access to an oxygen supply. Running an aeration system is just as important as a filter, and it will provide oxygen to keep the aquarium’s microorganisms and goldfish healthy. All goldfish require an aeration system even if they do not show any signs of low oxygen levels. It is the most humane and essential way to give your goldfish help breathing properly.
Featured Image Credit: Kateryna Mostova, Shutterstock
