Why Is My Goldfish Not Eating? (Actions You Should Take)

Goldfish are very fond of food, so it is unlike for them not to eat their food. However, some significant issues might require immediate action if your goldfish do not have their meal. So, why is my goldfish not eating?

Unfavorable water conditions and lack of appetite can make your goldfish avoid their food. However, other factors like overfeeding and stress also make your goldfish ignore their food. We advise you to keep your tank clean and avoid overstocking to avoid such issues.

Let us dive into the article to learn about your goldfish’s diet. In addition, we would discuss the usual diet, signs, causes, and solutions for your goldfish not eating their food.

What should be your goldfish’s usual diet?

Here are some usual diets for your goldfish: 

Goldfish Diet	Serving Quantity	No. of times	Link to purchase
Leafy Greens ( lettuce, kale, spinach)	A small piece of leaf	3-4 times a week	Feed fresh
Zucchini ( Blanched)	1 small slice	3-4 times a week	Feed fresh
Boiled Carrots	1 small slice	3-4 times a week	Feed fresh
Bananas ( Chopped)	1 small slice	2 times a week	Feed Fresh
Mosquito Larvae	12-15	2-3times a week	Feed live
Pellets	A pinch	2 times a day	HIKARI SINKING FISH FOOD
Tubifex worms	One small pinch	1 time a week	HIKARI FREEZE DRIED TUBIFEX WORMS
Daphnia	One small pinch	2-3 times a week	Freeze-dried daphnia
Freeze-dried bloodworms	One small pinch	2 times a week	Freeze-dried bloodworms
Brine Shrimp	One pinch	1-2 times a week	HIKARI BRINE SHRIMP CUBES

Also read: What Do Goldfish Eat?

Reasons for your goldfish not eating their food?

Here are some reasons behind your goldfish not eating their food:

Bad Water Quality

Inadequate water quality can be the primary reason for your goldfish not eating their food. The water in the tank should be clean; otherwise, it can lead to loss of appetite in your goldfish.

The foul water quality in your goldfish tank can be due to the accumulation of waste from excretion and food.

Hence, we advise you to regularly monitor the water quality in your goldfish water tank.

In addition, it would help if you remembered that the poor quality of water in your goldfish tank could also lead to other major health issues in your goldfish.

Not happy with their meal

If your goldfish are unhappy with the food served, they might resist eating. In such a case, we recommend you feed some other varieties of goldfish food, as many are available in the market.

In addition, serving them with types of goldfish food might interest them in trying something new.

Stress

Stress plays a significant role in your goldfish not eating their food. If your goldfish is gasping its mouth at the bottom of the tank, it indicates that it has stress.

Stress can result in loss of appetite in your goldfish. We would like you to know that excessive stress can also affect the immune system of your goldfish, which can further lead to significant health issues.

Good quality water and even distribution of food can lead to the reduction of stress in your goldfish. Also, try not to overcrowd your goldfish tank with other fish, as overcrowding can lead to stress in your goldfish.

Also read: What To Do If My Goldfish Is Stressed?

Overfeeding

Overfeeding your goldfish can also be the reason for your goldfish not eating their food. It would help if you always fed your goldfish in the correct quantity.

It would be best to provide your goldfish 2-3 times a day with the amount consumed in under 2 minutes.

Overfeeding can lead to indigestion in goldfish and contaminate your goldfish tank.

Also read: Can Goldfish Die From Overfeeding?

Infections

Infections can also be a reason for your goldfish not having their meal. Your goldfish can catch infections such as fungus, worms, viruses, and many more through the plantation in your tank.

Therefore, you should always ensure the plants do not contain viruses before planting them inside your goldfish tank.

Other health issues

Your goldfish might suffer from health issues like gut blockage, costia, tumors, etc. In such a case, your goldfish will avoid their food.

We advise you to see a marine vet immediately as soon as you discover such situations.

These were some possible reasons for your goldfish not eating their food.

What actions can you take if your goldfish is not eating?

We would like you to know that overfeeding can lead to indigestion in goldfish and contaminate the tank.

If you discover your goldfish are not eating their food, you can take the following measures.

Water Replacement

Poor water quality can be a reason for your goldfish not eating their food. Contaminated water can also drop oxygen levels, which can harm your goldfish.

We advise you to perform a 30% weekly water change in the goldfish tank, as freshwater helps them remain healthier.

Treat your tap water with a water conditioner as it helps to remove the harmful toxins from the water, making it safe for your goldfish.

We advise purchasing an API Tap Water Conditioner to treat your tap water as it helps eliminate all the harmful chemicals from the water.

You can purchase it from Amazon: API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.

In addition, keep a regular check on the tank’s ammonia level, as excess ammonia can lead to ammonia poisoning in your goldfish fry.

We recommend regularly using the API ammonia test kit to check the ammonia level, which shows accurate results.

You can purchase it from Amazon API TEST KIT.

Also, read Ammonia Poisoning In Goldfish.

Consider adding a Fluval High-Performance water filter to your goldfish tank, as it helps maintain the tank’s water quality by eliminating harmful chemicals. 

You can buy it from Amazon  Fluval High-Performance Aquarium Filter.

However, if changing the water in the tank doesn’t improve the situation, there might be another reason for your goldfish not eating their food.

Put food near them

Large-sized tanks can also be a reason for your goldfish not to eat their food. In such a case, try to put the food near them to have easy access to the food.

Do not Overfeed

Overfeeding can also be a reason for your goldfish not eating their food. Therefore, you should always ensure to feed them in the right portion.

In addition, you should only provide them 2-3 times a day. Overfeeding can also lead to significant health issues for your goldfish.

We advise you to consult a marine vet if none of the above conditions apply.

Also read: What Happens When You Overfeed Goldfish?

How long can your goldfish survive without food?

Goldfish can survive for about two weeks without food, but we would not recommend you leave your goldfish without food. Your goldfish diet should hold a good carbohydrate level.

The goldfish diet should contain pellets, flakes, or gel food, as this has all the necessary nutrients to help your goldfish stay healthy.

Your goldfish might start serving on anything edible in their tank if they don’t get fed for more than five days, like the plants or rocks. It might further lead to significant health issues for your goldfish.

So overall, we advise you to feed your goldfish regularly with all the necessary nutrients.

Also read: How Long Can Goldfish Go Without Food?

Can your goldfish pass away without eating?

The answer is yes. Likewise, other animals, even your goldfish, require food to stay healthy. However, a healthy goldfish can survive for about two weeks without food under adequate conditions.

But food is necessary for them to stay healthy. Therefore, we advise you to feed your goldfish regularly to avoid future complications.

How to know that you have overfed your goldfish?

Overfeeding can also be a reason for your goldfish not eating their food. Here are some ways to find out whether you have overfed your goldfish:

Food is hovering at the surface of the tank:

If you discover your goldfish food hovering at the tank’s surface, it indicates that you have overfed your goldfish. As discussed above, your goldfish should consume food in under two minutes.

Therefore, you have overfed your goldfish if the food lasts longer than two minutes in the tank.

If Your goldfish are struggling to breathe:

If you discover your goldfish floating towards the top of the tank and releasing air bubbles, it indicates that you have overfed your goldfish. The waste in the goldfish tank will result in a drop in the oxygen level.

Hence lower oxygen levels will make it difficult for your goldfish to breathe appropriately.

In such a situation, we would advise you to clean the tank immediately, as lower oxygen levels can be hazardous for your goldfish.

Also read: Can Your Goldfish Live Without Oxygen?

Cloudy Water:

If you discover that the water in your goldfish tank is cloudy, it is because of the waste of food in the tank. Hence, this clearly shows that you have overfed your goldfish.

In such a situation, you should change the water in the tank. Poor water quality can also lead to a drop in oxygen levels that can harm your goldfish.

Also read: Can Goldfish Survive In Dirty Water?

Staying at one spot:

It indicates overfeeding if you discover your goldfish staying at one spot and not swimming frequently. Your goldfish might face difficulties swimming if you have overfed them.

They might also face problems with their buoyancy ability and swim bladder.

In such a situation, you must ensure not to overfeed your goldfish again. In addition, you must remember that overfeeding can lead to significant health issues for your goldfish.

Also read: Why Is My Goldfish At The Bottom Of The Tank?

Not responding to food:

If your goldfish is not responding to the food, it indicates that you have overfed them. Food should always be served in a standard portion, as excessive food can contaminate the tank.

Overall it is highly recommended not to overfeed your goldfish as overfeeding can lead to significant health issues.

Also read: Why Is My Pregnant Goldfish Not Eating?

Conclusion:

1. There might be several reasons for your goldfish not eating their food
2. It would be best if you never overfed your goldfish, as overfeeding can cause serious harm to your fish.
3. Always try to maintain good quality water in your tank as contaminated water can cause a drop in oxygen level.
4. Goldfish can survive for about two weeks without food. But we strongly advise you not to leave your goldfish without food. Likewise, other animal goldfish also require food to remain healthier.

Reference: Academic