how to tell the gender of my golfish and what do their eggs look like?

Question

I have three goldfish two of which quite big (5cm) and one small (3cm) how do i tel their gender and what will their eggs look like (Are they goldy coloured on the inside?)

Answer 1

It sounds as though your larger two will be old enough to tell apart IF they are in breeding condition. You can only know when they're ready to spawn - otherwise, the boys and girls look too much alike to be much more than a guess.

The most reliable ways to tell are the males will develop tubercles on the gill covers and along the front edge of their fins, and the anal vent opening will have different shapes (see photos: http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/info/sexing-fs.htm)

Goldfish tend to lay their eggs on something they will stick to - see photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/b-photos/146523534/ , http://www.geocities.com/aquariumd/fish.html - photos near bottom of page Chances are, if you're seeing eggs (and they aren't snail eggs) that are gold or clear, they are fertilized fish eggs. If they're white, they aren't fertilized.

baby goldfish care: http://www.goldfishinfo.com/spawn.htm , http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_goldfm.php

Answer 2

you can not breed goldfish at home. you need a special setup with running water and very specific changing temperatures - youve got a one in a million chance you will ever see eggs.

you cant tell their sex unless they are ready to breed.