Goldfish are freshwater fish found in lakes, rivers, and ponds free from chlorine and other heavy metals. But untreated tap water contains chlorine and heavy metals that can cause harm to your fish. So, will your goldfish be able to survive in tap water? Let us discuss this below:
Goldfish cannot survive in unprocessed tap water as it contains chlorine that can damage the fish’s gills. It usually has heavy metals that weaken fish’s immune system. Experts suggest using offset tap water that does not contain chlorine-based disinfectants and other toxic chemicals.
Let us dive into the article to know more about untreated tap water and how to make tap water suitable for your goldfish. In addition to this, we will also know about goldfish water requirements.
Contents
Goldfish Water requirements?
| Types Of Goldfish | Water Temperature ( In Fahrenheit) | Water Temperature ( In Celsius) |
|---|---|---|
| Common Goldfish | 68-74°F | 20-23.3°C |
| Comet Goldfish | 60-70°F | 15.56-21.11°C |
| Fantail Goldfish | 68-74°F | 18-22°C |
| Shubunkin Goldfish | 60-70°F | 15.56-21.11°C |
| Sarasa Goldfish | 36-90°F | 2.2-32°C |
Why is unprocessed tap water harmful to goldfish?
Untreated tap water is harmful to your goldfish as it contains chlorine, lead, zinc, and chloramine that can cause harm to your goldfish. Let us discuss the harmful components of water in detail below:
Chloramine and chlorine present in the tap water can poison your goldfish
In general, chlorine comes in use to eliminate water-borne bacteria like E Coli and disinfect the water in public water systems. We want you to know that tap water is safe for us, but it can cause serious harm to your goldfish.
The chlorine present in the tap water can burn the gills of your goldfish, making it hard for them to breathe. Some places also use chloramine rather than chlorine which makes it worse for your goldfish.
The combination of ammonia and chlorine can cause severe damage to your fish.
Chloramine and chlorine target the gills of your goldfish, which are the respiratory organs of your fish. Gills are sensitive to harmful chemicals present in tap water.
If you place your fish in untreated tap water for an extended period, then the tap water chemicals can destroy the fish’s gills, eventually leading to the passing away of your fish.
It would be advisable never to keep your fish in untreated water as it can cause severe damage to your goldfish.
Chlorinated water can eliminate the beneficial bacteria in the goldfish tank
Chlorinated water eliminates the beneficial bacteria in the tank. We want you to know that good bacteria get to develop in the tank filters and substrates through a regular process of water cycling.
It converts the ammonia in the water into nitrate, making it safe for your goldfish.
A spike in the ammonia level can lead to severe health issues in your goldfish.
Metals in high accumulation in the tap water are harmful to goldfish
Apart from chlorine, untreated tap water also contains heavy metals in high concentrations like zinc, mercury, and cadmium that can cause harm to your goldfish.
In addition, we would want you to know that tap water in some places also holds copper and lead. The metals present in the tap water are not harmful to us but can cause severe damage to your goldfish.
We want you to know that a high concentration of heavy metals in tap water induces pathological changes in fish and weakens their immune system.
How to prepare suitable tap water for goldfish?
It is highly advisable not to use untreated tap water for your goldfish as it contains heavy metals concentrations that can cause severe damage to your fish.
To make it suitable for your goldfish, you must remove heavy metals and chlorine-based disinfectants from the water. The two ways to make tap water ideal for your goldfish are as follows:
Tap Water Conditioner
Water conditioners are required to treat the tank water. A tap water conditioner is essential for the tank as it helps remove the chlorine and heavy metals from the water.
If chlorine and other heavy metals are present in a low volume can cause severe damage to your goldfish, like breathing problems and poor growth.
However, we want you to know that some water conditioners can only help to eliminate chlorine and chloramine. In contrast, others will diminish both chloramine and other toxic chemicals.
So, to select the correct type of conditioner, you must know about all the harmful elements present in the water as only removing the chlorine would not be enough.
A water conditioner that treats only chlorine will offset the chlorine content but will leave the toxic ammonia behind. So it is advisable to choose a conditioner that can eliminate both chlorine and other toxic chemicals from the water.
We recommend using an API tap water conditioner as it helps to eliminate the harmful chemicals from the water.
You can buy it from Amazon  API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.
Filtered Water or Pre-treated water
Pre-treated water and filtered water are also available in pet stores. It comes free from all the toxic chemicals and can be used directly in your tank.
We would like you to know that water conditioners are cheaper than pre-treated water or filtered water. It would be advisable to use both in small quantities as excessive water conditioners can bind the oxygen that can cause a drop in the oxygen level in the tank.
How long can goldfish survive in untreated tap water?
Goldfish can survive up to 24-28 hours in untreated tap water. However, we recommend you not place your goldfish in unprocessed tap water as it contains heavy metals that can cause harm to your goldfish.
In addition, untreated tap water contains chlorine that targets your fish’s gills, making it difficult for them to breathe.
Apart from chlorine, untreated tap water also contains heavy metals in high concentrations like zinc, mercury, and cadmium that can cause harm to your goldfish.
Can goldfish survive without a water filter?
Your goldfish will not survive long without a water filter. Water filter treats the tank’s impurities and increase the oxygen in the water so that your fish can live a healthy life.
Your goldfish can lack oxygen and pass away within 12-24 hours without a water filter. In addition to this, your goldfish can also suffer from ammonia and many other serious health issues.
Therefore, we strongly recommend you not to keep your goldfish in an unfiltered tank.
Also read: Do Goldfish Need Filters?
Conclusion:
- Goldfish cannot survive in untreated tap water as it contains chlorine that can damage your fish’s gills.
- Chloramine and chlorine present in the tap water can poison your goldfish.
- Chlorinated water can diminish the good bacteria in the goldfish tank.
- Your goldfish can lack oxygen and pass away within 12-24 hours without a water filter.
- We strongly recommend you keep your fish in a filtered tank so that it can live a healthy life.
Related Questions:
Is boiling tap water safe for goldfish?
We would not advise you to keep your goldish in boiled water as it can cause harm to your fish. In addition to this, we would also like you to know that boiling water does not help eliminate chloramines.
Excessive hot water can cause stress in your goldfish and lead to a drop in the oxygen level in the tank.
Do goldfish need an air pump in their tank?
Goldfish require an air pump in the tank if the water in the tank is still and your filter is not making any surface movement.
Without an air pump in the tank, your goldfish might start suffocating, which can further lead to severe health issues. In addition, your goldfish might not be able to survive for more than two days without an air pump in still water.
Reference: NCBI, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN