Nitrate Poisoning
Nitrates are the least dangerous of the toxins released into the aquarium by the nitrogen cycle, however, they can still cause damage when their numbers get high. Over 40ppm is considered high, ideally we want them below 20ppm but as low as possible.
Your fish may appear lethargic, bottom sit and clamp its fins.
Your fish may appear lethargic, bottom sit and clamp its fins.
Treatment
☆ Test your parameters. Perform a water change. If your tank and tap pH differ by more than 0.5, multiple 50% changes may be in order. If they match, you can go bigger with your changes.
☆ Reduce feeding to reduce the amount of waste excreted.
☆ Increase surface agitation to get as much oxygen as you can into the water.
☆ Reduce the temperature to increase the oxygen supply too.
☆ Deep water treatment can be used to ease the effects of nitrates. If you can move the Goldfish to water 20+” deep, it can help.
☆ Reduce feeding to reduce the amount of waste excreted.
☆ Increase surface agitation to get as much oxygen as you can into the water.
☆ Reduce the temperature to increase the oxygen supply too.
☆ Deep water treatment can be used to ease the effects of nitrates. If you can move the Goldfish to water 20+” deep, it can help.