Goldfish Ammonia Poisoning
Elevated Ammonia Levels
Ammonia poisoning is the result of elevated levels of ammonia in the goldfish tank water. Ammonia is introduced into the goldfish tank water by every goldfish that lives in it. 25% of it is produced by goldfish waste but the majority of it, %75, is secreted through osmosis in the gills. Ammonia moves from a high concentration in the goldfish to the low concentration in the tank water. When the concentration in the water builds to a higher level than the goldfish, the goldfish stops secreting it. With out this secretion, the goldfish will begin to suffer from ammonia poisoning.
Ammonia Poisoning Symptoms
Symptoms of ammonia poisoning include redness in the skin (ammonia burns), excessive mucus production, loss of appetite, clamping of fins, and inactivity. These symptoms are common in other types of goldfish illnesses so it is wise to do an ammonia test to accurately diagnose goldfish ammonia poisoning. High levels of ammonia are more problematic in a new un-cycled tank that hasn’t had the chance to grow beneficial bacteria for use in its biological filter. This is often called ‘new tank syndrome’. Ammonia spikes also occur when new goldfish are introduced into a cycled tank that have a zero ammonia level reading. That is why it is recommended to only ad a goldfish at a time; so your biological filter can keep up with the new stock levels.
Ammonia Poisoning Treatment
If you notice these symptoms and find that your ammonia levels are high, do a 50-75% water change and add a biological aquarium supplement to up your levels of beneficial bacteria. Consider lowering your stocking levels and reduce excess feeding. A small goldfish bowl or an aquarium less than 10 gallons will require a water change several times a week if not daily to avoid ammonia poisoning of the goldfish.
photo small: madprime
Hmm? It sounds like you are doing a lot of the right things to lower ammonia levels. Yeah, I’ve noticed that sometimes doing too big of a water change can change the chemistry too much for the goldfish to handle. You can probably go up to 40% without shocking them if you are concerned. The 50-75% water change is more for those that have small tanks or bowls and lack a lot of the things you have in your tank.
I’ve added live aquatic plants to my tanks to help the biological filtering. I’d also clean the gravel substrate. Don’t take it out and clean it but get all the debris that might e stuck in it. all that extra load can lead to higher ammonia levels. Use a siphon or run your hands through it to free up the debris and then catch it with a net. The second options can make your water cloudy for a while though; especially it the substrate is dusty or sandy like. Small pebble like gravel is the best substrate to use.
I have done daily 25% water changes, been using api ammo lock for two weeks and I put a ammonia clarifying layer in my filter and I am still having high ammonia levels in my tank. I have one goldfish and a plecko in the tank which is 20 gallons long. All other readings for the water testing are normal. Wont a 50-75% water change shock the tank?? What else can I do?
you can use tap water but you need to get a dechlorinator to remove the chlorine. I think you probably should get a filter. there are several benefits of having a filter. The first is that it helps catch all the waste and uneaten food particles and secondly, many filters are great place for beneficial bacteria to grow. This bacteria helps remove ammonia from the water. See Goldfish Aquarium Filters for more info.
Ok, I just got a orange and white goldfish soo, what water can I use for it and do I need a filter