Do goldfish need an air pump

Aquarium folklore is repleat with images of fish swimming among varied decor with bubbles emerging from an immersion filter being fed by an external air pump.  At one time the low steady humm of the air pump along with the bubbles snapping at the aquarium surface was a sign of a healthy tank and happy fish.

As time marched on we discovered that bubbles, more specifically the bubble surface area under water, was a location of gas exchange with aquarium water.  Gas exchange would remove co2 as the bubbles moved to the surface and add atmosphere gases to the water.

Bubbles had benefit to fish held in an aquarium helping them to breath through their gills.  Science didn’t stop there and soon shared with the aquarists other benefits to bubbles in water.  It seems that when reducing CO2 the pH of the water changes too.

So, the race was on to introduce aeration and develop ways to introduce bubbles into aquariums in all sorts of creative ways.  The most interesting solutions became the airstone and under gravel pads that let bubbles percolate up through the gravel.  Not only were bubbles useful, they could add interest and depth to the aquarium.

Little attention was being paid to the air pump manufacturers who decidedly now have the most quiet pumps ever produced.  They are reliable, made of durable materials, and very affordable.  Many pumps now have a battery backup option which is great when the power goes out and the fish still need oxygen!

Bubbles from air pumps have many uses in the aquarium.

Low Oxygen Levels: In some cases, an aquarium may have a low oxygen level, especially in heavily stocked or densely planted tanks. An air pump can introduce air into the water, increasing oxygen levels and ensuring that fish and other aquatic inhabitants have enough oxygen to breathe.

Power Outages: During power outages or equipment failures, an air pump connected to a battery-operated air stone can help maintain oxygen levels in the water and prevent fish suffocation.

Aquarium Size and Stocking: In larger aquariums or those with a high fish population, an air pump can help ensure proper oxygenation throughout the tank.

Aquariums with Specific Fish Species: Some fish species, like labyrinth fish (e.g., bettas and gouramis), have a specialized organ called a labyrinth that allows them to breathe atmospheric air. In such cases, an air pump is not strictly necessary, but it can still provide some benefits.

Aquarium with Live Plants: During nighttime, live plants consume oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. An air pump can help maintain oxygen levels during this period when plants are not photosynthesizing.

Stagnant Areas: In aquariums with areas of low water movement or stagnant corners, an air pump can improve water circulation and prevent the buildup of debris or algae.

Decorative Bubble Effects: Some aquarists use air pumps and air stones to create attractive bubble displays in their aquariums, adding a decorative element to the tank.

It’s important to note that not all aquarium setups require an air pump. In many cases, a well-functioning filter and proper water circulation can provide adequate aeration for the tank.

Bubbles in water can help reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) through a process called gas exchange. When air bubbles form and rise to the surface of the water, they come into contact with the water and dissolved gases in the water.

The atmospheric air pumped in to form the bubble has a lower CO2 concentration than the dissolved co2 in the water.  Because of the second law of thermodynamics the higher concentration of co2 moves into the lower concentration of CO2 in an effort to obtain CO2 concentration equilibrium.   This process removes CO2 from the water and pushed other atmospheric gases, like O2 (oxygen), into the water.

The gas exchange occurs as follows:

1. Water’s CO2 Content: In an aquarium or any body of water, CO2 is present due to respiration by fish and other aquatic organisms, decomposition of organic matter, and metabolic processes of live plants.
2. Contact with Air Bubbles: As air bubbles rise to the surface, they bring air from the atmosphere into contact with the water.
3. Diffusion of CO2: CO2 molecules move from the higher concentration in the water to the lower concentration in the air. This diffusion of CO2 from the water into the air is driven by the concentration gradient.
4. Oxygen Exchange: In return, oxygen (O2) molecules from the air dissolve into the water, providing oxygen for fish and other aquatic organisms to breathe.

By facilitating this gas exchange, the bubbles help remove some of the CO2 from the water, which can be beneficial for maintaining stable pH levels and ensuring adequate oxygenation for aquatic life.

It’s important to note that while bubbles can aid in reducing CO2 levels in the water, they are not the primary method of CO2 control in most aquarium setups. In planted aquariums, live aquatic plants play a crucial role in removing CO2 and producing oxygen through photosynthesis.

The air pump and bubble generation should be considered an ancillary source of gas exchange for aquarium occupants.  Use of an HOB filter with a spillway is an excellent source of gas exchange.  Equally effective are plants.

Plants use CO2 and give off O2 as part of photosynthesis.  Aquatic photosynthesis is photoperiod dependent meaning that the presence of light plays an important role in the many chemical reactions involved in the process.

Aquatic photosynthesis is the process by which plants and certain types of algae (like phytoplankton) in aquatic environments use sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water to produce glucose (a form of sugar) and oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This fundamental biological process is vital for sustaining life in aquatic ecosystems and contributes significantly to the global carbon cycle and oxygen production.

Photosynthetic Pigments: Like terrestrial plants, aquatic plants and algae contain photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. These pigments capture light energy from the sun, which is essential for the process of photosynthesis.

Light Absorption: In aquatic environments, sunlight penetrates the water to different depths depending on water clarity and quality. Photosynthetic organisms in shallow waters receive more direct sunlight, while those in deeper waters receive less. The availability of light is a crucial factor that influences the photosynthetic activity of aquatic plants and algae.

Carbon Dioxide Uptake: Aquatic plants and algae absorb carbon dioxide from the surrounding water for photosynthesis. The dissolved carbon dioxide comes from various sources, including respiration of aquatic organisms and the diffusion of atmospheric carbon dioxide into the water.

Oxygen Production: During photosynthesis, oxygen is released as a byproduct when carbon dioxide is converted into glucose. This oxygen is then dissolved into the surrounding water and is essential for supporting the respiration of aquatic organisms, including fish and other invertebrates.

Organic Carbon Production: Through photosynthesis, aquatic plants and algae produce organic carbon compounds, such as glucose. These compounds serve as a primary food source for many aquatic organisms, including herbivores that directly consume plant matter and carnivores that consume herbivores.

Ecosystem Services: Aquatic photosynthesis has numerous ecosystem-level benefits. It contributes to the overall productivity and biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems, supporting food webs and providing habitats for various organisms. Additionally, the production of oxygen helps maintain oxygen-rich water conditions, which are essential for the survival of aerobic organisms.

Global Carbon Cycle: Aquatic photosynthesis is a significant component of the global carbon cycle. It sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, converting it into organic carbon compounds that can be stored in sediments or utilized by other organisms. This process helps mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change.

Overall, aquatic photosynthesis is a crucial process that sustains life in aquatic ecosystems and has far-reaching implications for both local and global ecological systems. It plays a critical role in nutrient cycling, oxygen production, and supporting the diversity and productivity of aquatic life.

Goldfish can breathe air, but they primarily obtain oxygen from the water through their gills. Like all fish, goldfish have gills that allow them to extract dissolved oxygen from the water. However, goldfish also have a special adaptation known as a “modified swim bladder” that allows them to gulp air at the water’s surface.

The swim bladder, an organ responsible for buoyancy control in fish, in goldfish has a connection to the esophagus. This enables goldfish to swallow small amounts of air from the water’s surface, which then enters the swim bladder. The air in the swim bladder acts as a reserve of oxygen, which allows goldfish to survive in oxygen-poor or stagnant water conditions.

In situations where the water is low in oxygen or polluted, goldfish may resort to breathing air more frequently to supplement their oxygen requirements. However, it’s important to note that goldfish still primarily rely on extracting oxygen from the water through their gills, and providing them with well-oxygenated and clean water is essential for their health and well-being.

Goldfish are survivors and they can survive in biologically stressful environments.  As such, they can survive for a time without sufficiently oxygenated water.  They do this by rising to the surface and taking a gulp of air.

When water is unable to carry sufficient amounts of dissolved oxygen, there is likely other problems that need attention.  Insufficient water surface movement (stagnant) fosters an aquatic biome that is rife to develop harmful pathogens for the goldfish.  Imbalance of water chemistry resulting in the inability of the water to support algae or other plants is another.

Ideally, the aquarist should provide for sufficient gas exchange for all aquarium occupants.  Keeping a goldfish in a bowl – that’s hard on the fish and will likely result in a dead fish shortly.