We had two fish for a while, and one just passed away last week. Ever since she died, the other fish seems sad. All he does is sit inside a little truck we have in there, occasionally coming out for food or to swim around a bit. He looks physically healthy but seems so sad! Is it possible that he's depressed? I heard somewhere that fish only have a memory span of 3 seconds, and if so, then how would he even know that the other fish died? Anyways.. if he is depressed, how can we fix it? Should we get one or two new baby fish to keep him company? Should I give him a Paxil?
2007-05-27 15:19:35 · 16 answers · asked by meeee 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Sorry to hear of your loss I agree with many of the other answers-get him a new buddy, ideally a similar type to himself & as someone suggested-possibly a little smaller than himself too. That way he'll feel like he's 'adopting' his new fishy pal I'm sure he'll perk right up with the interaction-fish love each other's company!
2007-05-28 02:05:39 · answer #1 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goldfish need to socialize, like most other fish. Rather than Paxil, get him a nice 29 or larger tank with a good filter, Once things settle down, add a new friend, two if the tank is larger.
2007-05-27 16:45:28 · answer #2 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Double assess the water assessments, it is average for a brand new tank to get spikes in ammonia or nitrite after per week or two, till the cycle settles down. If it isn't well, perform a little additional water alterations. If he is nonetheless consuming, that is a well signal, and might simply be settling into his new atmosphere. He's typically in no way been on my own earlier than, so is a little bit worried, mainly while you're round. (you probably going to consume him.) 40l is OK for a little one goldfish, however you're right that it's going to want a greater tank within the close long term. Ian
2016-09-05 14:03:31 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem. I brought an oranda and he had been with other fish his entire life. He too just sat there on the bottom of the tank. Three hours later... I bought a fantail and he perked right back up. They like the company of another fish.
2007-05-27 15:27:50 · answer #4 · answered by Osirus13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, fish can not get depressed. That a human emotion that fish do not have. Assuming you have room in the tank for more fish, adding another fish would probably make him more comfortable.
It has been proven that fish do have memories and can learn, what you have heard is an old, out dated myth.
MM
2007-05-27 15:26:30 · answer #5 · answered by magicman116 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oh please don't put human drugs in the water- you could kill him. Are you really that foolish?
Of course goldfish can be depressed! They have feelings you know. They are cognizant. Your fish recognizes that his friend died; he saw it. He may be lonely. Do allow him to grieve for a time, but then yes, you may want to get at least one more fish to keep him company.
Sorry about your loss of your other fish.
2007-05-27 15:30:17 · answer #6 · answered by D 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get him a fish buddy, just a little smaller than he is. It sounds as if he has been in a school all of his life, and not happy about being alone. Get the fish as quickly as you can, before he does get sick.
2007-05-27 16:20:10 · answer #7 · answered by hcw_07 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, a goldfish has a memory of 1 minute.
Put it in a tank that will take it 1 minute to swim around, and the next time it sees the truck it will think, "oh, that's new", and the next time round, "oh, that's new", etc. etc.
lol.
So if it has a memory of 1 minute, it will have forgotten about the other fish.
BUT
It might be lonely, and be thinking, "where is everyone at"?
2007-05-27 15:25:56 · answer #8 · answered by tattie_herbert 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Um no on the paxil, lol. Maybe some new friends though, that may help. Yes he can remeber that his buddy is missing. So go ahead, get him a new buddy and watch him play.
2007-05-27 15:28:39 · answer #9 · answered by The pink Soccer ball 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i think hes depressed cuz the same thin kinda happened with my fish if it doesnt stop try getting fish that looked and r as old as the fish that died
2007-05-27 15:40:05 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Anna♥ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋