Do Glo Fish need to live in filtered water?
Monday, October 19th, 2009 at
10:54 am
Do Glo fish need to live in filtered water? The tank at my pet store didn’t seem to have any filtration in their glo fish tank. Do I need a heater? I plan to put the tank in my bedroom which is usually room temperature. Also, is there a minimum tank capacity that I can have? I want to buy 3, if that helps.
Thanks for your help 
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Filed under: Water Filters
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I’d stay away from the glo fish as yes they do need filtration because 1, while not exceptionally dirty, they still create waste and 2 the are not capable of getting their own air like a betta. A betta and other anitboids have a specialized organ called the labyrinth that allows them to gulp atmosperic air.
Also, these are tropical fish and need a consitant and steady warm temp, so a heater is needed.
If you want a bright and colorful cold water fish consider the white cloud mountain minnow, or it’s lovely cousin the meteor minnow.
You need a filter though as without one, the waters quality rests entirelly on your shoulders. And the repeated stress of large water changes on both the fish and the systems bacteria can lead to diease and death. A bubbler is simply not enough to keep them alive and truely healthy.
Look up systems like the Walstad Method if you are looking for alternate tank systems. Although I can tell you from personal experience that they are no easir than a small tank of similar size, they are actualy quite a bit more difficult and require restraint in stocking.
If you have your heart set on the glo fish (and I don’t blame you, they are amazing!) I’d really aim for a no smaller than a ten gallon were you could have about 5-6 with appropriate swiming space. Glo fish are danio’s, and are very active fish, a ten gallon is pushing it, a 20 would be preferable. Anything smaller and they will be stressed in the small confined tank. If you could get a 20 gallon long, they would be ecstatic : )
Best of Luck!
ALL fish need filtered water.
yes filters is a must with all types of fish.this is a list to get you started 1. ten gallon tank 2.heater 3.filter 4.a top to cover tank (glo fish are jumpers) 5.a light optional they dont need them its mainly for you 6. liquid test kit for ammonia nitrites and nitrates get them seperate or in a master kit your choice 7. some decorations rock drift wood plants any thing they can hide around reduces stress 8.substrate like rock sand flourite ecocomplete as long as it is not reflective can blind and stress the fish other than that your choice 9.ask around look on craigs list,pet section of news papers, garage sales and such you can find them with a complete set up pretty cheap got another full set up from news paper for $15.00 today had everything with it. 10.cycle the tank http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/ go here to read on how to cycle the tank 11. sit back and enjoy its a lot of work but when its done you will love it i got 6 tanks running 2 in cycle and 4 more waiting for me to do something with. it addictive be careful lol you can go with about 5 or 6 glo fish they are danios and pretty hearty and easy to take care of
Glofish are genetically altered Zebra Danios and as such require the same care. So yes they like all fish require filtered water, (even bettas strongly benefit from a gentle filter), but they are not tropical fish. The proper temperature range to keep glofish/zebras is 65-75 degrees, so you can get away without a heater but the steady temperature from having one is always a good thing. Zebra Danios school, so you need atleast a group of 5-6. However regular Zebra Danios school with Glofish just fine, so you can mix and match to your taste (and wallet). The minimum suggested tank size is 15g, though a 20g long is better. They need space to swim, so about the smallest you might be able to swing is a 10g.
I say if you got atleast a 10g tank go for a school of the three glofish you want with three regular Zebra Danios. Not only will they school for maximum health but even the regular ones are brightly colored and attractive fish. If you have a smaller tank then 10g it’ll be too small to keep a proper school, which in turn will reduce their health in addition to the challenging effort to keep a smaller tank stable and healthy. Not worth it then imo.
If you don’t know about it I strongly suggest you read the link about Cycling your tank. Zebras are commonly used to cycle tanks with fish, but Glofish are a bit expensive to risk adding to an uncycled tank.