Is it ok for fishtank to have a slight smell?

Question

i have had a fishtank for about a year with 1 healthy happy goldfish in it and i have noticed that it has a slight odor not a bad one but just a fishy one is this okay? i do 40% water changes once a week and the water quality is good

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

If properly maintained, there will still be a slight smell regardless.

Since you have a goldfish, it would be stronger since they produce more waste than other fish. As long as your tank is the correct size for him, and you are doing 40% water changes, he should be healthy.

Since you are keeping fish in the water, its pretty obvious the water will smell like fish. Nothing wrong with that. As long as the smell doesnt bother you, or anyone else, no point in changing the way you are doing things right now.

Answer 2

Fish stink. I've had one for three years. There will be a smell.

Answer 3

That sounds fine. I have seen another answerer describe a healthy tank as smelling earthy, kind of like fresh dirt. I think that describes it pretty well, sometimes mine smells like a river or something like that. As long as it's not significantly noticeable/offensive it should be fine.