I had one goldfish in a small tank and desided to get a bigger tank and add some friends. I was told by lots of people that this would be fine ( including the pet store ). The first fish has been in the new tank alone for 4 days . I got two new fish yesterday . I was also told that fish arnt territorial but the first fish wont stop chasing one of the new ones.
I took him out for 2 hours before putting him back in. It hasnt made any difference. Help what do i do ???
Could he be trying to mate ???? How can you tell ???
I dont want to harm any of them but i dont wont two tanks on the go.
2007-04-10 20:54:00 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I won't claim to be a goldfish expet, but I've kept quite a few myself.
Are all your fish the same size? There can be a bit of bullying if some fish are larger than others. It also helps if they're all similar types - either all commons (with a single forked tail) or fancies (double tailed). Commons are better swimmers than fancies.
Unless your fish are a few inches long already (about 1-2 years old) they probably aren't trying to mate. If they're around this size, and in breeding condition you can tell the males from females by looking for small bumps (like pimples) on the covers over the gills or along the front edge of the side fins. They also have a different appearance to their anal opening. Otherwise, males will look like females. See this website for photos of how to tell males and females apart: http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/info/sexing-fs.htm
Your fish may be still getting to know one another and the chasing may stop in a day or two on its own. If not, or if you see one of the fish is hurting the others or keeping them from eating, you might look into a tank divider. They will be able to stay in the same tank, but will be separated. They can still see each other, so will get used to the others being around. Once any smaller ones have the chance to grow and they get used to having the other fish around, you can try taking the divider out again.
2007-04-10 21:13:11 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a plastic basket with holes in it and place the one that's being chased in it for a few days. The basket floats. You can get one at the grocery store for a buck or two. Take her out in about 3 days and see if the chasing continues, if it does put her back in for a couple more. You can feed her in there. Yes it sounds like breeding behavior, and the males can chase her to death or nip her so bad she gets an infection. Don't try to see if you can get the babies, its almost impossible in an aquarium. The gf will eat all the eggs, and if any fry do hatch they will eat them too. Its better to hold on to the fish you have. You can at least tell who's a girl and who's a boy! The boys are the ones doing the chasing, the girl is the one being chased. Get a good goldfish book for reference, or visit some helpful goldfish sites like www.kokosgoldfishworld.com www.goldfishconnection.com
www.goldfishutopia.com
2007-04-11 03:32:57 · answer #2 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First bit of advice, don't listen to the pet store employees. Most, not all, but most really don't have a clue about fish, fish products, or anything aquarium related at all. Do your research before hand online.
Next, what kind of fish did you get? Some fish like to be in groups or schools. It could be that it's a male and female, and he's chasing her. So, you may need to get a few more females, otherwise he may chase her till she dies. Or, return the fish. Again, need to know what kind of fish you're talking about. And really, there's not much that can go in a tank with a goldfish.
2007-04-10 21:29:27 · answer #3 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not considering myself an expert here, but I can tell you, I've had a similar experience. I had a goldfish, alone, in his own tank for several years. I thought perhaps he could use a mate, and he KILLED every mate I put in the tank with him. Yes, a plain old goldfish. Needless to say, he lived out the rest of his days alone. (to the ripe age of ten years, may I add) I think when they are used to being alone, they become territorial and don't like other fish in their space.
2007-04-10 21:03:36 · answer #4 · answered by Penny P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to really know but I suspect,if they are mature,that they could be mating. It's unlikely that it's a territorial problem,especially since you put the first one in a new tank as well as the new additions. However,it is possible that the first one saw the newcomers as rivals. That is unusual for goldfish,though.
Try taking out the first one to the other tank,and then 2 days later,re-introduce him to the other fish. The answer before mine makes sense.
2007-04-10 21:14:53 · answer #5 · answered by DAGIM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i.m no expert but i have kept and bred goldfish for 35 yrs, more than likely your fish are trying to spawn and it can get so rough that a fish gets killed, if you don't want two tanks
then simply add some hiding places and lots of aquarium plants (real or artificial) for her to hide in, you might also add another fish or two
good luck
2007-04-10 21:40:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
human beings use to place fish in waterstock tanks to maintain the algae down. that's effective which you rescue this fish even if it has some significant desires. confident, it is going to stay for awhile in a bowl in case you do primary water transformations. even if it truly desires a tank with an excellent clear out device. Golds choose a lot of oxygen...I consistently used extra bubble wands and such plus an excellent clear out.
2016-10-21 14:42:37 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋