I rescued a pair of fantail goldfish from a friend's tank about a year and a half ago. They're currently in a 10-gal tank, and have always gotten along very well - no nipping, chasing, etc. I was away for 3 days and one of the fish has had his tail completely eaten away. The other fish (identical in size) has never been aggressive before; now, he won't leave the injured fish alone long enough for it to heal. The situation is only getting worse, and it's not really practical to separate them - I've recently bought a 20-gal tank for them, and having a single fish in it seems ridiculous. Would the extra space do anything to help the situation? I'm just so frustrated and disgusted with them I'm ready to give up on them altogether and just get rid of the tank completely. I'm moving into a new place, and really wanted to take them with me, but the constant chasing is extremely upsetting to watch. Any advice?
2006-09-04 17:29:11 · 9 answers · asked by Cat 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Since you have 2 tanks right now, you could try separating them until the one gets back to healthy and then try to reintroduce them to the 20 gallon tank. I think that the one is getting aggressive because the other one is a little weaker at the time! You might want to check to see if the other fish has some type of illness as well, which could be the reason for the conflict. Maybe one is a male and one is a female and it is a mating chase. It could be many things, but separate them first! I had two that would do the same thing, until I moved them into a 20 gallon tank. I think that they were being crowded because the chasing stopped soon after they were moved! You shouldn't have to keep them separated forever! They'll be fine!
2006-09-04 17:45:43 · answer #1 · answered by *ღ♥۩ THEMIS ۩♥ღ* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For goldfish, a 20 gallon tank for one is not ridiculous. Those fantails should grow to the size of a grapefruit if cared for properly. Imagine 2 of them bobbing around in a 20. I would treat the injured one in the 10 and then try and re-introduce it later. If that doesn't work then re-home it and don't add any more fish to the 20.
2006-09-05 00:45:03 · answer #2 · answered by Em 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes the extra space is always a good thing.
You need to check your feedings perhaps you need to give a bit more food.
When a fish is hungry and the only thing to eat is another fish, well...
I have always said "Gold pigs" not "gold fish"
These are the most piggy fish in the water...
2006-09-05 11:38:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are really going to have to separate these two for a bit. consider it a time out.... you will be able to put them back in the same tank once the other fish has healed. And just as a FYI.. if you add aquarium salt to your tank when you see your fish acting frisky they will calm down.
2006-09-08 22:44:28 · answer #4 · answered by maria k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to take your injured one and treat him/her medically in the 10g while leaving the others in the 20g.
It sounds like if you don't you will wind up with one less fish. The meds you should be treating the injured one with should be a broad spectrum Antibiotic (like Maracyn-2 from Virbac Animal Health - link listed in sources for you).
If you don't separate and treat the injured one separately - it could wind up with a major infection in the injured area and end up dying.
*****EDIT - P.S.*****
You should stack the Maracyn-2 with MarOxy (which is normally for fungus and bacterial infections, but is also listed as usuable for treating injury).
2006-09-05 00:39:08 · answer #5 · answered by sly2kusa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you got to get rid of one of them. My koi killed like 10 goldfish by biting away on their tail and eyes. I wanted to give it up but i couldnt so i got rid of some other fish.
2006-09-05 01:48:26 · answer #6 · answered by JO 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To keep them from fighting I strongly suggest you place them in a pan, pour some oil in it and fry them over a low flame stove.
Seriously, maybe you're not feeding them enough?
2006-09-05 00:36:22 · answer #7 · answered by wormz 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
separate them or get rid of them...they can't be together any longer.
2006-09-05 00:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by moondancer629 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think its because you didnt feed them...
2006-09-05 00:48:36 · answer #9 · answered by <3 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋