As an aquarist, before adding a goldfish to your tank, you must be curious to know whether they survive in cold water. So can your goldfish live in cold water? Let us discuss this below:
Goldfish are cold-water fishes that can survive up to 32°F. The ideal water temperature of the goldfish tank should be between 68° to 74° F. Goldfish enter the hibernating stage once the water temperature drops below 50° F. Goldfish have a better quality of life in outdoor ponds than indoor tanks.
Let us dive into the article to know about the water requirements of your fish. In addition to this, we will also discuss how low temperatures affect goldfish
Contents
Goldfish ideal water temperature
| Particulars | Goldfish |
| Water Temperature | 68 to 74 °F |
| Water Ph level | 7.5 |
Goldfish minimum water temperature
32 °F is the minimum water temperature your goldfish can tolerate. Your fish will not be able to survive for an extended period at 32 °F. However, the ideal water temperature of your goldfish tank should range between 68 to 74 °F .
The ph level of your goldfish tank should be 7.5. In addition, it will be advisable to provide adequate water parameters to your goldfish for their proper growth and development.
Can goldfish live in outdoor ponds?
Goldfish are coldwater fish that can survive in outdoor ponds. We want you to know that your goldfish will have a better quality of life in outdoor ponds than in indoor tanks.
Goldfish living in the pond can tolerate cold water better than fish kept indoors.
The metabolism rate of your goldfish starts decreasing once the water temperature drops below 50 °F and your goldfish enters into a period of dormancy.
If you plan to hibernate your goldfish in the pond, you must take care that there is no layer of ice in the pond as it can lack oxygen in the water. Insufficient oxygen can lead to severe health issues in your goldfish.
You can use an airstone to ensure that your goldfish have access to oxygen even the water freezes.
Therefore you should always prepare in advance to make your goldfish pond hibernate.
You should always provide a high protein diet to your goldfish as it helps build up fat stores that will give strength to your fish during hibernation.
Is heater required in goldfish tank?
Goldfish are coldwater fishes that do not require a heater for their survival. But not all goldfish are coldwater fish, and they need a heater to live happily. Some of the fancy goldfish that require a heater for their proper growth and development are s follows:
- Celestial eye
- Pom pom
- Bubble eyes
- Froghead
Therefore we want you to know that inadequate water temperatures can lead to significant health issues like weakening their immune system.
So, always maintain adequate water parameters to provide a healthy environment for your goldfish.
Therefore you can keep your goldfish tank warm without a heater in the following ways:
Place aquarium light in your goldfish tank
You can keep your goldfish tank warm by adding a light in the tank.
Providing indirect sunlight
You can also provide indirect sunlight to keep your goldfish tank warm.
Keeping your tank in a warmer area
You can keep your goldfish tank in a warmer place, like keeping it near the kitchen to keep your goldfish tank warm.
Providing direct sunlight
You can also keep your goldfish tank warm by providing direct sunlight for not more than 3 hours. You should not provide direct sunlight for more than 3 hours as it can heat your goldfish tank. Avoid providing direct sunlight in the summers.
Therefore you can keep your goldfish tank warm by considering the above factors.
How does low temperature affect goldfish?
When the temperature drops below 50 °F, your goldfish stops eating their food and enters into a stage called hibernation by hovering at the bottom of the pond.
Hibernation can last up to 10 weeks as your goldfish will not be able to survive without food for more than ten weeks.
In addition, low temperature makes your goldfish lethargic and weakens immune system causing your fish to lose their appetite.
Therefore, the minimum temperature your goldfish can survive is 32 °F, but we advise you to keep your goldfish at a water temperature between 68 to 74 °F. Providing adequate water temperature is essential for your fish’s growth.
Conclusion
- Your goldfish tank’s ideal water temperature should range between 68 to 74°F.
- 32°F is the minimum water temperature your goldfish can survive. However, we advise you to provide them with an adequate water temperature for their healthy life.
- Goldfish have a better quality of life in outdoor ponds than instead aquariums.
- Goldfish are cold water fish that does not require a heater. But some fancy goldfish like bubble eyes need a heater for a better life.
- When the pond’s water temperature drops below 50 °F, your goldfish goes into the stage of hibernation by hovering at the bottom of the tank.
- Low temperature weakens your goldfish’s immune system and makes them lazy. Therefore, you should always provide adequate water temperature to your goldfish for proper growth and development.
- You can keep your goldfish tank warm without a filter by providing them indirect sunlight or by adding light to your goldfish tank.
Related Questions:
Can goldfish live in warm water?
Goldfish are cold-water fishes but can also live in warm water. Warm water helps increase the metabolism of your fish and makes them active. Therefore it will be advisable not to keep your goldfish in too hot water as it can lead to stress in your goldfish, eventually leading to the passing out of your fish. The ideal water temperature of your goldfish tank should be between 68 to 74 °F. To know more about the benefits of cold water, you can read my article on Can goldfish live in warm water.
Can goldfish live in tap water?
Goldfish cannot survive in untreated tap water due to chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can lead to severe health issues for your fish. To know more about the disadvantage of tap water, you can read my article on Can goldfish live in tap water.
Reference: ResearchGate NCBI