Contents
What is an air pump?
An air pump is a machine or device designed for the purpose of providing oxygen to fish tanks by pushing the water upwards. It is therefore necessary that these devices be placed in the tank so that they can provide an uninterrupted flow of oxygen in the water.
The air pumps come in different types such as those with a spray head, fixed head, and eductor nozzle. The air pump is usually powered by electricity but some models are compatible with other sources such as batteries or solar power options.
Will an air pump hurt my goldfish?
The answer is NO. Goldfish are wildlife specially adapted to survive in a water environment. Goldfish can actually live for years in an ordinary fish tank without any air pump.
Your goldfish may suffer some temporary distress from having an air pump but the truth is that they will adjust and adapt and eventually stop being bothered by the air pump. If for instance, your goldfish are swimming against the current of the stream or the force of the eductor nozzle you may want to reduce or reverse the direction of flow so that your goldfish can swim more comfortably.
It is however important to note that most of the fish species require an adequate amount of oxygen in order to survive. In fact, even goldfish prefer to live in a tank with an air pump but if they are not provided, they will kept on living without one.
Can my goldfish swim in circles?
A lot of people seem to believe that the flow of air from the air pump makes goldfish swim in circles. The fact is that this is not true. If you have ever observed sea fish, you will realize that they usually swim in circles and they are not affected by the flow of water from an air pump. The circular movement is intended to swirl food into their mouths and it has nothing to do with an air pump.
If your goldfish seem to be always swimming in circles, it is probably because they are chasing after food. Chasing after food is not uncommon for goldfish and this activity will actually keep them more active and lively.
Can goldfish live without air pump?
It has been said that goldfish need air pumps to survive. This may not be entirely true. Goldfish can actually survive without an air pump for a short period of time but they will eventually die if an air pump is not provided.
Goldfish are used to living in environments with low oxygen content and so it is only necessary that you provide them with a continuous supply of oxygen from an air pump. Remember that your goldfish also need to stay alive and healthy if you want to enjoy them for a long time.
Keep in mind that an air pump can also help you maintain the oxygen level in the tank. If your tank has an ajar cover, you will need to provide extra oxygen to the water in order for it to stay oxygenated because without an air pump, there will be no way for water to move from the tank’s top tier to the bottom tier.
An air pump can be useful for aerating water, keeping the tank clean and a lot of other purposes. Many of these uses can be performed by providing a regular trickle of water to the top tier. Unfortunately however, this will not result in an adequate oxygen supply to your fish as will be provided by an air pump.
How can I tell if my goldfish need an air pump?
The general rule of thumb is that goldfish require an air pump if they are less than six months of age. In order to tell if your fish needs it, you will need to check them. Every piece of equipment is in fact an extension of the body so if the fish is healthy, you will know because they will not be bothered by the presence of the air pump.
Goldfish are very good at showing signs of illness and their use of the air pump is no different. If your fish stops using the air pump or if it uses it less frequently, it may already be sick.
Conclusion
The air pump can be useful for a lot of things and in the end, even without your intervention, goldfish will adapt to it. After all, it is just another extension of their environment and so they will get used to it. It is however important that you take note if your fish seem to be bothered by the presence of the air pump and you must make sure that they are actually using it.
