Keeping goldfish safely entertained?

Question

I've got a pair of two-year-old goldfish in a ten gallon tank. (I'm planning on getting a bigger one before long.) They seem to live for the moments when they're being fed, but other than that, they spend their time asleep or generally looking like a couple of fish being forced to live very dull lives. Any (safe) suggestions to help liven their days up?

I clean the tank regularly and do water changes every week or so. I also check them constantly for signs of illness (fins, scales, demeaner, etc.). I'm aware of the dangers of a too-small tank. But they are healthy. I just wish they had something more to do other than chasing each other around or flitting through the aeration bubbles. (They're both males, so that certain OTHER type of recreation isn't applicable. Unless they're gay, I guess.) With an attention span only "three seconds long"...well, that just makes them harder to entertain!

Does it matter what type of plastic the toy ball is made of? It will not leech into the water?

PeeTee...well...I'm sure the cat would find that amusing, at least.

I made a bad choice of words, I suppose... Perhaps I should clarify...again... They are NOT sitting at the bottom of the tank all day. They swim around. They chase their reflections on the sides of the tank. They mouth gravel. They are healthy. When a friend brought over another fish that ended up having a fungal infection, these two never so much as flicked a fin in death's direction. They've never gotten ill once in the two years I've had them. The water tests fine, and I've kept it that way.

I am merely asking for ways to keep their lives a little more fun. I am imagining life in a fish tank, and I for one think it would be horribly dull. That is all. The plastic ball thing sounds like a good idea, and I think I'll try it.

Answer 1

The plastic ball, unless it is meant for an aquarium canprove toxic. So I'd rethink that.
You can change their tank decoration... Get them some colourful pebbles or a plant they can hide behind... Or a hoop they can swim through.

Answer 2

If your goldfish are not booking around all day, its not that they are bored, they are stressed. Likely too small of a home. Change at least half of their water weekly and don't let up. That tank with that bio load is hard to maintain. If you don't have a heater to stabilize the temperature, could also cause stress. Too cold of water is not a good thing, they really do better mid to high 70's and don't let anyone tell you different. Coldwater means they can tolerate cold water, not necessarily thrive in it. High nitrates can cause this too. If they are over 20 ppm, you are not changing enough water frequently enough. They don't show signs of illness yet, but they are behaving in an unhealthy way, and your instincts are telling you something may be wrong. Go with it and check your water perameters. Then stop feeding and start changing water until the problem is corrected.

Answer 3

Yep balls are great for goldfish. Hard plastic are the best. Rubber doesn't work. Really any childs hard plastic ball works well.

I too have a number of solar ball lights in my large ponds and even at night you can watch the fish push them around.


I have to laugh at the above poster. My damsels in my smaller salt tank will actually bump the glass when the cat decides he wants to check out what his fish buddies are doing. I guess it entertains them both!

Answer 4

In the tank I put plastic balls for them to push around In the outside ponds they have solar light balls the koi and gold fish push around. Be sure the balls are not smaller than their mouths.

They will push them all day long.

Answer 5

Fish don't need much to feel fulfilled. A larger tank with some swimming room and nice plants will make them happier. I'd go for at least a 29.
http://www.fish-school.com/

Answer 6

yuck, I bet your water is constantly dirty eh? Don't really like goldfish, but you could put some plants in there, fake or real, most people aren't too concerned with keeping their fish entertained. The reason they are dull is probably because a 10 gallon is commonly mistaken as suitable for goldfish, but they get a decent size and outgrow them easily.

Answer 7

I also have 2 2 year old goldfish lol. I put a small beach ball in mine and they like to play with it. Also I put some fake plants.. they might like that if you don't have some

Answer 8

They might find the antics of a kitty cat amusing,for a while.

Answer 9

A gold fish has the attention span of 3 seconds.... don't particularly think they are bored... its all new to them...