The depiction of a goldfish in a tiny bowl is iconic. Some owners keep them in fishbowls right from the time they bring them home until the day they die. Nonetheless, a fishbowl is an ill-suited home for these beautiful creatures for various reasons. However, the most noteworthy thing is that a fishbowl lacks proper filtration. But, do goldfish need filters?
No, goldfish do not need filters. Goldfish tend to adapt to their habitat. So, they can survive without filters. However, goldfish create a lot of waste. Without a filter, the waste will pollute the water and increase ammonia levels. This will stress the goldfish, and they can die in 2 or 3 years.
So, a filter is not compulsory but is highly recommend for goldfish aquariums. Now…
What Happens When You Keep A Goldfish Without A Filter?
Goldfish are generally low maintenance fish that adjust to most environments and eat almost anything.
They do not need much care. Nonetheless, these fish will grow well and enjoy a long life when they receive proper care.
Clean water is one of the most basic needs of a goldfish.
However, keeping the water clean is not an easy task as goldfish are messy, and they produce a lot of waste.
Did you know that these fish do not have stomachs? So, they cannot retain most of what they eat.
Their rudimentary digestive system absorbs essential nutrients from the food and eliminates most of it as waste.
Now, consider the fact that goldfish are heavy eaters.
So, they will produce copious amounts of waste that end up in the surrounding water.
In their natural habitat, this is not a problem as the waste gets diluted in the large water bodies where the goldfish live.
However, in captivity, it becomes a problem.
The ammonia from the waste slowly builds up in the tank or bowl and pollutes the small environment that the fish is part of.
Unless you continuously change the water or use a filter, the toxins in the water will affect your goldfish’s health.
In the long run, it can even reduce your pet’s lifespan by several years.
Purpose Of A Water Filter
There are only two ways to ensure that your goldfish has clean water – change it frequently or use a water filter.
The first option involves a lot of effort and resources, especially if the aquarium is large.
So, it may be more economical and practical to use a water filter.
At this point, you should also note that filters do not change the water in an aquarium.
However, they remove the waste from the water and store it temporarily. So, the water in the aquarium will remain clean.
Even with a filter, you will have to clean the tank and change the water. Nevertheless, you can do it less frequently.
Benefits Of Using A Water Filter For Your Goldfish
The primary task of a water filter in a goldfish tank is to purify the water.
It traps the excrement and stores it temporarily until you can switch out the water.
Apart from removing goldfish waste, water filters also trap uneaten food, decaying matter, other solid waste, and harmful chemicals from the water.
This improves the overall water quality and creates a better environment for your goldfish.
Another additional benefit of a water filter is that it aerates the tank. Oxygen exchange happens at the surface of the water.
So, the oxygen level will be less in the lower part of the tank when compared to the top.
Filters move water from the top to the bottom of the tank.
This process distributes the water throughout the aquarium and ensures that there is enough oxygen at all levels.
Proper aeration will allow your goldfish to breathe better and help them stay healthy.
Recommended Further Reading:
- How To Take Care Of A Goldfish? (Goldfish Care In 3 Simple Steps)
- How Do Goldfish Adapt To Their Environment? (Wild + Captivity)
- What Do Goldfish Eat? What To Feed (And Not Feed) Your Goldfish
Different Types Of Water Filters
Different types of aquarium filters serve different purposes.
While some focus on improving the aeration of a fish tank, others are designed for advanced filtration needs.
Mechanical filters are the simplest type. They use materials like sponges to trap solid particles and keep the water clear.
Biological filters are more advanced.
They enable the growth of good bacteria that convert the ammonia in the tank into nitrates, thereby reducing the toxicity of the water.
Finally, chemical filters use elements like charcoal to filter harmful ingredients in the tank and keep ammonia levels low.
Filters can be kept inside or outside the fish tank.
External filters are generally more efficient, and they do not spoil the look of the aquarium.
How To Choose The Right Filter For Your Goldfish Tank
To select the right filter for your tank, you should consider the primary purpose it should serve.
For goldfish tanks, it is filtration. So, look for filters with high filtration capacity.
It should reduce ammonia and nitrite levels in the water.
Some filters will cause a lot of water movement.
While some fish can adjust to the rapid currents, it may cause disturbance to other varieties.
In the wild, goldfish fish live in slow-moving murky water.
So, they will prefer a similar environment in captivity.
Choose a filter that doesn’t cause much current, and your goldfish will adjust better.
Regardless of whether you use an internal or external filter, it should have a high flow rate for maximum efficiency.
Filter flow rates should be at least five times the volume of your tank per hour to operate efficiently.
Related Further Reading:
- Do Goldfish Like Current? + How Current Affects Goldfish?
- Can Goldfish Live In Dirty Water? (Some Interesting Facts)
- Why Do Goldfish Float? (How To Stop Them From Floating?)
- Can Goldfish Live In Tap Water? (Untreated vs Treated Tap Water)
Maintenance Of Goldfish Tank Filters
While a filter can save you a lot of time and effort, you cannot expect it to do all the dirty work. Regular maintenance is part of the deal.
To keep it working at optimal capacity, inspect the filter every week, and remove any build-up.
Dirty, ignored filters will breed bacteria and cause the fish to become sick.
Although your goldfish can survive without a filter, it will be beneficial for your pet and you.
By reducing the frequency of water changes, you will save money on your water bill.
It will also prolong the life of your pet and help it stay healthy and happy for longer.
So, it is a wise investment when you have pet goldfish.
How To Take Care Of A Goldfish Without A Filter?
Goldfish can survive without a filter if certain things are followed stringently.
Given below are a few things that you can do to keep goldfish without a filter:
- Frequent Water Change: A filter cleans and purifies the water. In the absence of a filter, you will have to change the water frequently to maintain its quality. Since goldfish are messy fish, they excrete a lot, and the water gets polluted regularly. So, it is important to maintain water quality by changing it frequently.
- Adding Plants To Increase Oxygen Levels: Aquatic plants are an excellent and natural way to increase the aquarium’s oxygen levels. They absorb the gases that are dangerous to the health of your goldfish. Java fern, Crypts, Pothos, Anubias, and Java Moss are some of the plants that are best suited for a goldfish tank.
- Avoid Overfeeding: You should always feed your goldfish as per their size and appetite. Feed your goldfish as much as they can consume in around 3 to 5 minutes. You should avoid overfeeding them as it leads to various health issues. Overfeeding causes digestive problems and results in excess waste. This results in polluting the water frequently.
- Cleaning Waste And Other Debris: Dirty water is the primary reason for the ill-health of your goldfish. Since goldfish are known for polluting the water due to their excess waste, it becomes essential to regularly clean the tank. Besides the waste, surplus or leftover food and debris also need to be cleaned more frequently in the absence of a filter.
- Avoid Overcrowding: In a tank without a filter, you should keep the goldfish in moderation. If your tank is overcrowded, it will make the tank water more toxic. Since goldfish excrete a lot, your tank water will get polluted very fast. Also, you will find it challenging to keep the tank clean.
Interesting Further Reading:
- Do Goldfish Eat Snails? (And Can Snails Live With Goldfish?)
- Do Goldfish Eat Algae? (Is It Bad And How To Get Rid Of Algae)
- Do Goldfish Eat Plants? (Best Plants To Keep With Goldfish)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which aquarium fish don’t need filters? Although most fish can survive without a filter in their tank, some fish are more resilient than others. Betta fish, lungfish, and guppies are examples. These fish can live in tanks without filters. Nevertheless, adding a filter will only enhance their quality of life.
Can you turn off your aquarium filter occasionally? A filter serves two purposes – it cleans the tank and aerates it. So, it plays a critical role in maintaining water quality. It is not a good idea to turn off the filter as it circulates water through the tank and maintains the oxygen level. It allows fish and beneficial bacteria to survive. Switching it off for several hours will reverse the benefits achieved by it during its operating time. So, avoid turning it off unless it is to clean the filter.
