Can Goldfish Live In Warm Water? (Complete Information)

Goldfish are cold water fish found in lakes, rivers, and ponds. But do they have the capability to survive in warm water? Is warm water suitable for your goldfish, or is it harmful to them? Let us discuss this below:

In general, goldfish can live in warm water as it increases their metabolism and makes them active. The water temperature of a goldfish tank should be between 20-23 degrees Celsius. However, experts suggest not to keep goldfish in too hot water as it can lead to stress and other health issues. 

Let us dive into the article to know more about goldfish water requirements.

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

Also read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Goldfish?

Is warm water harmful to goldfish?

Goldfish are cold water fish, and should not be kept in warm water. Warm water is not harmful to your goldfish until the water is too hot for your fish. It would be advisable to keep your goldfish in a water temperature between 20-23.3 degrees Celsius.

We want you to know that if the water is too hot, it might cause severe damage to your goldfish. It can cause stress in your goldfish and can also lead to a drop in the oxygen level, further leading to passing away of your goldfish. 

In addition to this, warm water does not help eliminate chloramine, so you must use neutralize water free from chlorine-based disinfectants and heavy metals.

What are the advantages of warm water for your goldfish?

Warm water is necessary for cold-water fish like goldfish. We want you to know that coldwater fish need both cold and warm water habitats at different stages of their life cycle.

Warm water also increases your goldfish metabolism, which increases their oxygen demand. Therefore, you should always raise the water movement in your tank in hot weather as moving water grabs more oxygen and evaporates more, making the water cooler.

The only issue with warm water is that it contains less dissolved oxygen than cold water, making it difficult for your goldfish to breathe in summer.

Therefore, it would be advisable to always maintain an ideal water temperature in your goldfish tank between 20-23.3 degrees Celsius to provide them a healthy life.

Can goldfish live in heated aquariums?

Goldfish can live in a heated aquarium, but the aquarium’s water temperature should not be more than 27 degrees Celsius. The ideal water temperature of goldfish should be between 20-23.3 degrees Celsius.

However, we would advise you not to keep your goldfish tank in direct sunlight so that your water temperature stays below 27 degrees celsius.

Your goldfish can get stressed if the water in the aquarium is too hot, and it can also lead to a drop in the oxygen level.

Does goldfish require a heater in a warm water tank?

Goldfish do not need a heater in a warm water tank. The water temperature of goldfish should be between 20-23.3 degrees Celsius and not more than that. The heater is required when the water temperature drops below 21 degrees Celsius.

When the temperature goes too high in the aquarium, your goldfish can become sluggish, whereas if the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they can turn lethargic and stop eating.

Therefore, you must always maintain an ideal water temperature in the tank to provide a healthy life to your goldfish.

Does goldfish require a water filter in a warm water tank?

Goldfish do need a water filter in a warm water tank. 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 out 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.

It would be advisable to keep your goldfish in neutralized water free from chlorine-based disinfectants and heavy metals.

As chlorine targets your goldfish’s gills, making it hard for them to breathe. A water filter is essential to provide your goldfish with a healthy life. 

Also read: Do Goldfish Need Filters?

Does goldfish require an air pump in a warm water tank?

A goldfish does not require an air pump as long as the tank is well oxygenated and has enough surface movements that translate to oxygen.

Goldfish uses its gills to intake oxygen from the water. If your tank is not heavily planted or does not have an air pump, then it will be difficult for your fish to breathe.

If you discover your goldfish gasping at the surface of the tank, it means that they lack oxygen. In such a case, your goldfish can pass out any minute because of insufficient oxygen in the tank.

So, it will be advisable to have an air pump in your goldfish tank to provide a healthy life to your fish.

An air pump creates air stones that add good bubbles to the tank water. These bubbles then rise to the surface of the tank and improve the living condition of plants, fish, and other living creatures in your tank.

An air pump is required to maintain adequate oxygen in your tank so that all the living creatures in the tank can live a healthy life.

Also read: Can Goldfish Live Without An Air Pump?

Conclusion:

1. Goldfish can live in warm water as it increases their metabolism and makes them active.
2. Goldfish can live in a heated aquarium, but the aquarium’s temperature should not be more than 27 degrees Celsius.
3. Water filter treats the tank’s impurities and increases the oxygen in the water so that your fish can live a healthy life.
4. A goldfish does not require an air pump as long as the tank is well oxygenated and has enough surface movements that translate to oxygen.
5. An air pump is required to maintain adequate oxygen in your tank so that all the living creatures in the tank can live a healthy life.

Related Questions:

What do Goldfish enjoy playing?

You can develop a happy and playful environment in your goldfish tank by using smooth and big gravel stones, as goldfish love to swim around them.

However, you should ensure that the stone is not small enough to be swallowed. In addition, you can also create a stress-free environment in your goldfish tank by maintaining the water quality and introducing plants.

Can Goldfish live in tap water?

Goldfish cannot survive in untreated tap water as it contains chlorine that can cause severe damage to your fish. In addition, it usually has heavy metals that weaken fish’s immune system and also affect their growth.

Therefore, experts suggest using neutralized tap water that is free from chlorine-based disinfectants and heavy metals to provide a healthy life to your goldfish.

Reference: NCBI