Do goldfish in water troughs stop horses getting worms?
James Holden
Updated on January 05, 2026
Oh, yes. Goldfish can also help keep your horses' water trough clean—under the right conditions, of course. Goldfish can live off the algae growing on the trough walls and floor, and they will also eat mosquito larvae (yay!), as well as some insects that may fall into the water.
Can goldfish live in a horse trough?
It is possible to put goldfish in your horse's water trough to keep it cleaner. As long as you don't add too many fish and use a large enough trough, they actually do work. You'll also need to keep them shaded and add a floating object or rocks in the trough to provide the fish with cover.Do goldfish keep a stock tank clean?
It seems that farmers here have goldfish in their stock tanks to keep the algae down and keep the tanks clean. With the water heaters they have in the tanks for the winter the fish do all right without any extra care.Can you put goldfish in a stock tank?
When using goldfish in livestock water tanks, you do not need to feed them. Although you may want to, the goldfish will not need the additional nutrients and can survive in the tanks with the nutrients present in the stock tank. There isn't a general rule for the amount of fish-per-gallon.Should I clean my horses water trough?
You should clean your water tank often, even in the winter, to avoid algae growth and unclean conditions. Algae growth may cause your horse to drink less and can be toxic in some cases.Goldfish in Horse Trough
What to put in water trough to keep it clean?
If the water in the trough is dirty and needs to be dumped, veterinarians recommend disinfecting the trough with household bleach, scrubbing the walls and rinsing it thoroughly before refilling. Up to two ounces of household chlorine bleach may be added per 50 gallons of water to discourage algae growth.How often should you clean horse water trough?
For most average-size horses, this comes to 10-15 gallons (38-57 liters) of water each day. Keep water tanks as clean as possible. Weekly scrubbing will usually do the trick. Don't overlook automatic waterers, as they too can become green and slimy with algae growth.What type of water tank is best for horses?
Rubbermaid stock tanks are available in different sizes, from 50 to 300 gallons. These ergonomic and ultra-durable troughs are ideal for watering horses and have myriad uses. It also comes with an easy-to-use drain plug, which is makes cleaning and moving it easy.Do goldfish eat maggots?
Fishing enthusiasts may wonder if the maggots they use as bait would be suitable to feed their aquarium fish. The answer is yes! Maggots should not be the primary food for your aquarium fish, but they make an excellent supplement.Is a goldfish a feeder fish?
Feeder fish are a category of fish which are commonly used to feed animals such as large predatory fish, frogs, turtles, and other predatory aquatic or semi-aquatic animals. The most common forms of feeder fish are Guppies, Rosy Reds and Goldfish.Why do farmers put goldfish in horse troughs?
Algae growth in horse troughsInternet forums are full of suggestions including the addition of goldfish. The theory being that the fish will eat the algae together with any insects which are attracted to the water, creating a cleaner environment.