Water Quality Ranges

September 3, 2020 / By Dr. Jessie Sanders, DVM, DABVP (Fish Practice) / Water Quality

Here are the water quality ranges for the most common types of pet fish. Click here to find water quality requirements for more exotic fish species.

Goldfish (indoors & outdoors) Water Quality Ranges

Parameter	Range
Ammonia	≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm)
Nitrite	0 mg/L
Nitrate	< 20 mg/L
pH	6.5-9.0
kH (alkalinity)	> 100 mg/L
gH (hardness)	> 100 mg/L
Temperature	32-85F (0-29C)

Koi Water Quality Ranges

Parameter	Range
Ammonia	≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm)
Nitrite	0 mg/L
Nitrate	< 20 mg/L
pH	6.5-9.0
kH (alkalinity)	> 100 mg/L
gH (hardness)	> 100 mg/L
Temperature	32-85F (0-29C)

Betta Water Quality Ranges

Parameter	Range
Ammonia	≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm)
Nitrite	0 mg/L
Nitrate	< 20 mg/L
pH	7.0-8.5
kH (alkalinity)	> 100 mg/L
gH (hardness)	> 100 mg/L
Temperature	78-82F (25-28C)

General Tropicals Water Quality Ranges

Parameter	Range
Ammonia	≤ 0.1 mg/L (ppm)
Nitrite	0 mg/L
Nitrate	< 20 mg/L
pH	7.0-8.5
kH (alkalinity)	> 100 mg/L
gH (hardness)	> 100 mg/L
Temperature	78-82F (25-28C)

Please keep in mind these are general guidelines – not all fish read the book!

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About The Author

Dr. Jessie Sanders, DVM, DABVP (Fish Practice)

Chief veterinarian and owner of all-aquatic mobile veterinary practice serving California and Nevada. Board certified in Fish Practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.