Effects of phosphates on goldfish can lead to organ failure
In the past I’ve written about organ failure, and the various substances that lead to the condition, however, I’ve recently learned that phosphates can also be included on the list. Most of us have phosphorus in our tap water, and most of use tap water as our freshwater source for our fish
Phosphates may be higher in some regions due to the mineral being indigenous, however, it’s used to create suds in detergents, shampoos and other soaps we use daily, which leads to higher concentrations in our drinking water. Excluding distilled water, most bottled water contains the mineral
Organ failure in goldfish
Most of the processed fish foods we feed contain some form of phosphates, along with other foods as well, including peas. Peas contain high levels of phosphorus. We knew that peas contained purines, which are hard on the kidneys, but now we have another reason to worry if they are a smart choice. Peas should definitely not be fed as complete diet, as so many do in the industry. I will continue to feed, but in moderation. Peas are leaned on in the industry because they’re high in roughage, and assist in keeping the digestive tract healthy
Safe phosphorus levels are considered as ranging from 0.005 to 0.05 mg/L
I’ve added this tid bit to my article Poisoning our fish, and have started a list of items found in tap water that could poison our fish. Let me know if you can think of other items to add
Most cities have water reports available online
Understanding the water your fish live in will help you help them live longer. Some of us have chloramines in our tap water, which is ammonia and chlorine combined. It’s not uncommon to find nitrates in some city water, but especially if you’re on a well. Old homes with lead or copper pipes could lead to high levels in your tap water; something that may not show on your water report. Allowing the tap to run for 5 minutes before filling the freshwater bucket will help clean most contaminates from the water
Water treatment that converts toxins, metals, as well as phosphates are available at most pet shops, although water treatments should be used with caution. The treatments work by bonding to the agent, making it less soluble. This keeps the fish from absorbing the agent into the blood stream
If you need help reading your water report, post it here. We learn so much from the information provided by our water service department. You can call them if the information isn’t listed. They’re glad to help, and most enjoy the chat