What do you do about a goldfish that chases another goldfish aggressively?

Question

Let's say fish A is smaller than fish B by a little, but A keeps chasing B around and doesn't really stop at it; it's been happening for days already. I have noticed that fish B seems to be losing scales. I put fish B into another tank (with slightly smaller goldfish) but then fish B just starts pecking at other fish so I return it back to the tank with fish A and the chasing just happens again. The two goldfish are three inch long sarasa comets. Should I just separate both fish and keep them from interacting from any other fish at all or will the fish eventually stop? Thanks. Also, any recommendations on good tank mates for such fish?

since so far the advice is to just separate them, are there any bad side effects to solitary goldfish? there's no other way to change a fish and the ONLY thing to do is separate them?

Answer 1

Time out?

Or Sushi

Answer 2

Ok, I work at PetSmart and Goldfish are my PetPeeve! First of all goldfish have to have 2 Gallons of water for every inch of fish. Granted your fish are only 3 inches, every type of goldfish can reach up to 14 inches long. Now people tend to believe that goldfish adapt to the size of their tank. This is wrong. Think about wearing one size shoe all you life from the time you were born. The fishes insides will still grow, but the outside wont. This is why goldfish are considered by most short lived. However, that is not the case goldfish have the potential to live many years. The fact that your goldfish is acting aggressively could be a factor of space. At the petstore when the goldfish tanks become overcrowded they can become aggressive. And once the scales start to come off of a fish after being pecked on, the fish tend to still peck at the wounded. Similar to chickens. I would suggest getting a tank that is big enough for the goldfish.
Now as of what other types of fish you can put in with you comets is other types of goldfish, not including Koi. You can also get a Dojo which is like a small eel looking fish. The reason you have such a limited selection is because goldfish are coldwater fishes, and the only other type of fish that you would typically have is a Beta. Sometimes it is possible to get a Beta and a Goldfish to coexist, but that's not always the case. I would get something to start to help your other fishes scales to grow back as well. But be sure to treat him in a seperate tank.

Answer 3

So far everyone is assuming that this a case of aggression. At three inches, it possible you have a male and female and the female has eggs. Chasing of a female by a male is a natural behavior. If the "chaser" is a male, it will have small white bumps on the gill covers and along the front edges of the fins - this link will show you what to look for: http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/info/sexing-fs.htm If this is what you're dealing with, you should at least provide some silk plants that will provide the female with a hiding place so she can get away from the male and get a rest.

It could also be that one of yours is just a bully. If the tank is large enough to accommodate both fish, you could buy a tank divider to keep them separated. If not, you may need to keep them in separate tanks.

Goldfish are really best kept with other goldfish of similar body type (single-tailed, double-tailed without vision impairment [orandas, fantails, ryukin], double tailed with vision impairment [celestial eyed, bubble eyed, telescopes]). There's nothing wrong with keeping a goldifsh alone, but unless this is a temporary breeding behavior, you won't change how they act.

Answer 4

They will eventually stop, here is the thing though. Depending how you have your tank set up you might have to rearrange things in your tank so they don't have territories. I would assume they are two males, so try adding a few females, they should stop right away. Another thing to try if that doesn't work, take the bigger one out of the tank for a few days, then put him back so he will feel like the "new guy". With fish you usually want to add the least aggressive to the most aggressive. Eventually one should back down though, I had two parrot cichlids chase each other relentlessly till one finaly backed down, now they are best buds. Unless they are taking huge chunks out of each other I would try some of the things I mentioned first before removing them. Also, maybe your tank is just too small.

Answer 5

The only real answer to an aggressive fish like that is to house it alone. No harm will come to it for living alone at all and no, there really isn't any way to change him, it's just his nature.

MM

Answer 6

Remove the more aggressive fish to his own tank.

Answer 7

Put them in separate bowls or tanks.

Answer 8

when your bored watch them, but get to bowls

Answer 9

seperate them!