My goldfish has outgrown his little round bowl, so i bought a proper tank with filter etc, about 6 times the size of the bowl. i also got 2 small goldfish to go in there with him as a bit of company. All the fish ignore each other, theres no fighting going on, but my original fish spends all his time swimming up and down the length of the tank. At first i thought it was because he was excited at having space to be able to swim in, but its been going on for 2 days now. Someone told me that if you see animals in a zoo going up and down, its because theyre on the verge of a breakdown - do you think my fish is unhappy or just making the most of his new space?
2007-01-05 21:32:59 · 17 answers · asked by bunny 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Don't listen to anyone that says goldfish aren't intelligent. I have just set up a 3.5ft coldwater tank today! SO it is perhaps me, not the fish that is daft. Anyway, fish do remember things - they always know when it is time for food for example, and always know when you come in. My fish queue up in one corner when they want food so they know.
So it makes sense that they also know when their environment has changed. Fish do get stressed, so it is probably this, though I would doubt it has gone mad! You can get water treatments that will help - try one called 'Stress Zyme' (they sell it in places like Pets at Home so it's really easy to get hold of) - that one will also help the bacteria in your filter develop, which will keep your fish healthy. Also try not to do much with your tank for a week now other than give them food so they don't get more stressed.
Hope that helps.
2007-01-06 03:59:00 · answer #1 · answered by icklnickla 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This "tail" sounds a bit fishy to me.However if you are still concerned DONT BE, goldfish have little or no brain power to have breakdowns or the like. All you have to do is enjoy them and keep them in good health and they will in turn swim up and down the tank giving you hours of pleasure or a nervous breakdown thinking that they are having a nervous breakdown. Clever species goldfish.
2007-01-05 21:50:28 · answer #2 · answered by Branded 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A goldfish doesn't have enough brain power to have a nervous breakdown. The fish is just doing what it does normally by instinct and that is swim up and down. What do you expect?
2007-01-05 21:38:24 · answer #3 · answered by BARROWMAN 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely not a 'breakdown' - this is a vague and non-technical term applied to some humans. It is true however that some animals in captivity can exhibit neurotic behaviours of which frequent pacing or ritualised behaviours are examples.
Put items of interest (e.g. castles, small pieces of flowerpot, weed) into your tank so the fish can swim around in hidden and dim places.
2007-01-05 21:52:02 · answer #4 · answered by Rozzy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, what is happening is that he can see his reflextion is all. You did a wise thing removing him from a glass bowl, that actucally kills them. Plant some real weed that you can buy from a pet shop, not the plastic crap, as they also need that to feed on it. They really should have alot of water weeds in the tank to keep the fish healthy. Also if your feeding him flakes change to the pillets. They have alot more goodness in them and do not pollute the water as much. Watch that you don't over feed
2007-01-05 21:47:53 · answer #5 · answered by scallerbar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A goldfish isn't a very intelligent creature, pretty though it may be. When a goldfish reaches the end of a tank (or even the limits of a bowl), he literally doesn't remember that he's already been there, so he will generally go around again.
2007-01-05 21:36:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Goldfish don't have the cognitive abilities to be "happy", "unhappy", "excited" or "having a breakdown".
Your goldfish is just a simple creature reacting with instinct to external conditions.
2007-01-05 21:39:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
probably excited if the others are female or proper p'd off if they are male thought he was going to get his tiny little fish sized end away lol
2007-01-05 21:43:37 · answer #8 · answered by Jo C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Goldfish have a memory only as long as 5 seconds. There's actually a chance that he really is re-exploring everything....constantly. =) Every 5 seconds...it's all new territory again.
2007-01-05 21:42:34 · answer #9 · answered by Sid 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
after living in goldfish bowl may be it think its free,
2007-01-05 21:50:39 · answer #10 · answered by stephen eblue eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋