Full Version: Basics In Breeding Goldfish?
huh: I bought my brand new 10-gallon tank a few days ago with a one red bubble eye, one common yellow goldfish and a Calico fish. They from a good breeder because they are excellent looking fish! They look quite younge fish so l wouldn't have thought they would start breeding until they are 3 years old. For the furture what sorts of signs can you look for when they are ready to breed? I have noticed the Calico fish chasing both the bubble eye and the common around the bowl, is that a sign?
Hi, Tobias, and 
!!
Congratulations on your new fish, they sound very pretty! As for signs of breeding, the male develops what you call breeding tubercles on top of his gills, the first ray of his pectoral fin, and some under his eyes,and will chase the female fish mercyless through the tank. The female will get a rather round belly. There is also a good chance to tell them apart by looking at the anal area of the fish, but that only works when the fish are bigger.
There is one thing that caught my eye while reading - the size of your tank. Goldfish are VERY messy fish, much more so than the tiny tropical, and therefore need quite a lot of space to develop healthy and withstand diseases. A minimum of 10 gallon per fish is what is recommended, even more for certain kinds of fish like the comet and shubunkin, since they can grow so large. You have to have a real close eye on your water parameters - ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH. They will build up so fast with so many fish in a 10 gl tank, and more frequent water changes are definetely a must.
Here are a few links that help you understand the basic needs for your goldies ....
A little course about the cycling process of a tank...
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/cycle.html
And the basics needs for a goldie...
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/tensteps.html
Its a common misconception that pet store employees give to new goldie keepers, and in a lot of cases the new keeper is disappointed when his fish get sick. The hobby would be so much more enjoyable, if the right advice would have been given...
Good luck with your new fishies!
!!Congratulations on your new fish, they sound very pretty! As for signs of breeding, the male develops what you call breeding tubercles on top of his gills, the first ray of his pectoral fin, and some under his eyes,and will chase the female fish mercyless through the tank. The female will get a rather round belly. There is also a good chance to tell them apart by looking at the anal area of the fish, but that only works when the fish are bigger.
There is one thing that caught my eye while reading - the size of your tank. Goldfish are VERY messy fish, much more so than the tiny tropical, and therefore need quite a lot of space to develop healthy and withstand diseases. A minimum of 10 gallon per fish is what is recommended, even more for certain kinds of fish like the comet and shubunkin, since they can grow so large. You have to have a real close eye on your water parameters - ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH. They will build up so fast with so many fish in a 10 gl tank, and more frequent water changes are definetely a must.
Here are a few links that help you understand the basic needs for your goldies ....
A little course about the cycling process of a tank...
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/cycle.html
And the basics needs for a goldie...
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/tensteps.html
Its a common misconception that pet store employees give to new goldie keepers, and in a lot of cases the new keeper is disappointed when his fish get sick. The hobby would be so much more enjoyable, if the right advice would have been given...
Good luck with your new fishies!
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