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Ah, goldfish temperature. This is such a contested topic. An oft-repeated adage about goldfish is that they are cold water fish, and therefore should not be put in warm water. This is somewhat untrue.
You might not know this, but Goldfish can live in water of different temperatures. But what’s the range? What temperature is best for a goldfish? Why does it matter so much? Goldfish are some of the hardiest fish you will find, yes. And because of this, they certainly can survive at colder temperatures, but that’s not always the ideal setting for them to thrive in.
In actuality, putting your goldfish in water of the wrong temperature can have irreversible adverse effects, and might even lead to death. You also have to take other factors into account, such as the species.
In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about goldfish temperature. Let’s get started!
What’s The Best Goldfish Temperature?
The correct water temperature for a goldfish isn’t so easy to figure out given that they can live in a wide range of temperatures. However, for all intents and purposes I’ll give a quick and general answer:
The ideal water temperature goldfish will thrive in is between 65 and 72 degrees F / 18 to 24 degrees C.
Now, the temperature range mentioned above is a general range for all goldfish. But it’s important to remember that these fish are mainly divided into two main categories: fancy and slim-bodied. And knowing about fish types will help you to determine the right water temperature range more easily.
Let’s have a look at the differences between the two types, and the associated temperature conditions.
What is a Fancy Breed?
Also called egg-shaped goldfish, fancy goldfish are characterized by their uniquely beautiful, sometimes bizarre, appearance. These double-tailed fish typically have round bodies resembling golf balls.
The main deal with fancy goldfish is that they are more modified—genetically speaking—than slim-bodied goldfish. It’s also important to understand that these fancy fish are much more prone to freshwater fish diseases if their tank environment is incorrect.
As such, these goldfish need more specific temperature and living conditions, and are better suited to tank living than pond living. They can’t survive in a wide range of temperatures, and as such, they should also not be kept in a tank with overly cold water — or water that is too warm.
Here are some of the most commonly kept goldfish of the fancy variety:
- fantail goldfish
- veiltail goldfish
- telescope goldfish
- pearlscale goldfish
- black moor goldfish
- lionhead goldfish
- oranda goldfish
- ranchu goldfish
- bubble eye goldfish
- ryukin goldfish.
What is a Slim-Bodied Breed?
If you know about comets and shubunkins, you already know what slim-bodied goldfish are. They are one of the most popular choices for novice aquarists. They are much more hardy, fast, and athletic than their fancy counterparts. This allows them to do pretty well in varying tank water qualities and cooler tank temperatures. This suitability to various water conditions makes them suitable for living outdoors. In fact, it’s actually recommended to keep certain slim-bodied goldfish in a pond instead of a tank, because they can grow quite large in size.
Many people wrongly think that slim-bodied goldfish aren’t as attractive as the fancy kind, but this is untrue. You will find many common goldfish with unique and appealing physical traits, such as large nostrils, distinctive head growth, funny eyes and flowing fins. They also come in a variety of colors.
Here are the best known fish in this category:
- common goldfish
- comet goldfish
- shubunkin goldfish
- wakin goldfish
- jikin goldfish.
Fancy vs Slim-bodied Temp Requirements
Now that you know more about the differences between fancy and slim-bodied goldfish varieties, you can probably begin to guess that they have differing tank requirements when it comes to water temperature.
Compared to other fish, goldfish of the slim-bodied variety are much better able to withstand fluctuating temperature changes and environments, such conditions would not only stress out a fancy goldfish but even put them at risk of death.
So, it ultimately comes down to this:
Fancy goldfish should be kept at a tank temperature between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit if you want them to have a long and healthy life.
In contrast, slim-bodied goldfish, as we have already established, are much better able to withstand colder water temperatures resembling those of outdoor ponds. They need a tank temperature between 65 and 72 degrees F, but have the ability to survive winters outdoors and can tolerate higher temperatures better.
Indoor vs Pond Temp Differences
Goldfish are exothermic, which means that their surrounding temperature determines their body temperature. They absorb and release energy from and into the water—which means the bodily functions of this fish are entirely dependent upon the water temperature being correct.
Digestion, immune system, respiration—these are all metabolic functions that are directly affected by water temp. The higher the goldfish water temperature in your tank, the faster these processes will be.
So, for goldfish kept in a tank with a temperature of 75 degrees, for example, you’ll have to provide 5-10 times more food than those kept in an outdoor pond where the temperature might be as low as, say, 58 degrees. In fact, they can actually get much colder. In this example video below by David Cook, his pond froze over and water temperature was around 41 degrees F. You can see the fish are exhibiting dormancy and we can see slim-bodied goldfish in the pond.
When it comes to indoor tank temperatures, you also have to take into consideration the toxicity of ammonia concentration. When the water temperature is higher, the likelihood of poisoning from toxicity in the tank is higher. This becomes a bigger issue in aquariums as the overall tank volume is lower.
Household Temperature Requirements
For fish that you’re keeping in home aquariums, it’s important to take into account the temp range of your household. As a rule, aquarium water is at least 2 degrees warmer than room temperature1, so you need to take steps to cool your aquarium water by other means. This is particularly true if you’re keeping your pet in a warm climate.
First, ensure that your goldfish tank or tanks are not placed near direct sunlight. Next, you have the option of using your existing air conditioner or ceiling fan to cool the water (in the latter case, it’s recommended to remove the goldfish tank lid to allow the water to cool faster).
Alternatively, if you have money to spare, you might want to look into investing in an aquarium fan or a mobile AC for your fish. Some people like to float ice packs in their goldfish tank, but we don’t recommend this as it can change the tank temperature too much too fast—and that can lead to temperature shock for your pet.
Mobile AC units are an unconventional, but very effective and cheaper solution over many chiller options
Working through your room temperature is the best way to manage heater. An aquarium chiller is a consideration, but typically very expensive and not as versatile as a mobile AC solution that can function as a backup system in the event your central AC unit goes down.
Temperature Shock and How to Deal With It
Sudden tank temperature fluctuations can lead to your fish experiencing temperature shock. Changes of even 2 degrees can shock your fish. So, when you’re performing water changes, it’s crucial that you ensure the new water is within 2 degrees of the old water. For this, it’s recommended that you use a digital aquarium thermometer to measure the water temperature.
Now, it’s a very important part of goldfish care to know when your fish might be suffering from temperature shock. Here are the most common symptoms, which are similar to those of oxygen deficiency:
- Sitting at the bottom
- Rapid breathing
- Lethargy / aimless floating
- Excess slime production
- Buoyancy problems
- Gulping at the surface (insufficient oxygen).
If you think your fish have been afflicted by temperature shock, don’t do a big water change to set things right. This can be counterproductive and actually over-stress your fish anew. Gradually bring the water temperature up if it has gone down.
In the case of an overheated aquarium, you can follow the steps we outlined in the above section to quickly but manageably bring the temperature back down. This includes using a fan or air conditioner, or floating a frozen pack in the goldfish water. But be careful of not making the situation worse.
If you live in a climate where you continually face problems of too-hot fish tanks, you might want to consider getting an aquarium chiller for your fish, if you can cover the cost.
Do They Need an Aquarium Heater?
Once again, this depends on the type of goldfish you have, as well as your surrounding climate. Fancy varieties can certainly benefit from the stability of an aquarium heater if the temperature tends to fluctuate in your tank, or if your home is located in a cold environment, or if the temperature is below 68 °F (or 20°C).
You don’t have to get a tank heater for most slim-bodied goldfish. These guys can usually take good care of themselves and are very adaptable.
Does Water Temperature Affect Breeding?
Absolutely. The temperature of goldfish water determines their reproductive abilities. Male fish release higher amounts of androgen, a reproductive hormone, during spring time, and less of it during winter. This is because larvae are more likely to survive in spring temperatures. So it stands to reason that, if you’re interested in goldfish breeding, you need to recreate these environment conditions.
Start by lowering the temperature gradually to around 54°F or 12°C. Then, to induce breeding, slowly raise the temperature to 68 °F – 74°F (or 20°C – 23°C). This should help you induce breeding behaviors in your goldfish.
Closing Thoughts
The water conditions and temperatures at which you keep your aquatic pets greatly impacts their health and capabilities. If you want a more low-maintenance fish, we would not recommend getting yourself a fancy goldfish since they require stricter temperature conditions. But for slim-bodied fish, you should be prepared to keep them in an outdoor pond.
Also remember that the temperature of the water in your tank should also be suitable for the other fish inhabiting it. So choose your goldfish tank mates wisely.
If you have any questions about caring for goldfish or want more information on them feel free leave us a comment below!
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I’m thrilled that you found Aquarium Store Depot! Here you’ll find information on fish, aquariums, and all things aquatics related. I’m a hobbyist (being doing this since I was 11) and here to help other hobbyists thrive with their aquariums! I adhere to a high quality Editorial Process and Review products with real life field usage and practical analysis.
informative article thank you. I have a 70 gallon aquarium. I’m partial to the oranda goldfish but currently have two angelfish, a small fat shark and a doja loach . tank stays about 70°. was told last night when buying fish it should be 80° always! I’ve never even considered needing a heater and at 70°. I have healthy fish and a good water balance. I would appreciate your opinion heater or not? please and thank you very much
For goldfish you don’t need a heater. If the fish are used to that temperature, I wouldn’t change anything.
Thank you for a very interesting article. I do have a more specific question that I would like some advice on. (my fish are all slim body goldfish, comets and shubunkins sarasa etc.) I currently have a pond at 9 deg. centigrade which will gradually increase over the coming weeks. I also have an aquarium indoors at 22 deg centigrade. The pond will probably never get to this temperature even in the height of summer. I would like to transfer some of the fish from the aquarium to the pond. I can use heaters etc with a temporary tank in the garage to slowly match the temperatures over time, my question is home long and by what degrees of change should I make the transition to keep the fish happy? I would appreciate any advice you could give as to what rate of change is safest for them.
Hi John, I would move the fish to water about 2-3 C in range of the temperature they were originally in. You can lower it down over time like over the course of several days. Goldfish are hardy can take swings faster, but this would be cause less stress if changed over the course of a few days.
The information given by you are very helpful.Thank you for posting
Do keep on posting.