For the past year I have had Nightstalker, a little black Moor. However, two days ago I decided that little Nightstalker looked lonely in his/her 30 gallon tank. So my husband bought me Sweet Potato, a gorgeous orange and white Oranda. All was well until this morning, when I noticed Sweet Potato laying eggs everywhere!!! What a pleasant surprise! However, Nightstalker seems to have little interest in all of this, except that he/she wants to eat all the eggs. So I don't think any fertilization happened. Indeed, I'm not even sure if Nightstalker is a girl or boy. If Nightstalker has no interest in chasing around Sweet Potato, who is OBVIOUSLY a girl, and he/she doen't display any of the white breeding tuberacles, then does that mean that Nightstalker is definitely a girl as well? I've never seen Nightsalker lay eggs! Or sometimes are males in the tank just not interested? And do females lay eggs even if there is no male around to fertilize them? I'm sorry, I'm not new to having goldfish, just new to breeding. Please help, because I'm considering getting a male for Sweet Potato if Nightstalker is a girl, too. I would love to be a goldfish Mommy! Thanks.

Hi and welcome!! I love the name Sweet Potato, it is adorable.

I can't answer all your questions but I will try a few. I believe the girl has to be in with a boy to lay eggs, however this could
ve happened at the store, so it doesn't mean Nightstalker is a boy.
Some ppl can look at their anus and tell, boys have "innies" and girls have "outies", they pucker sorta.

It is possible for the male to not be interested at all as well. I have one of those, I believe he is older and can't remember what to do.
I am sure others will be along shortly to fill in the gaps.

Again welcome, I would love to see pics of them...........Sweet Potato, how original!!

"....can't remember what to do...."... I think fish aren't the only ones feeling like this at times!

Sweet Potato really is an adorable name for a goldfish. I can just imagine her sweet little face looking all adorable!
Actually, females can lay eggs without a male, but I believe it is only in special circumstances, like change of water or housing. Two of my females displayed that behavior - my big blue telescope girl in a 10 gl show tank during a show, all by herself of course. She layed eggs the 2. day of the show, and it was a mess to clean up too.
Then the blue oranda girl I got a few months ago. I had her the 2. day as well, and found eggs all over the place in her 20 gl quarantine tank. Again, no other fish in sight.
Keep on watching those two, and if there isn't any sign of anything in a bit, then it might be that your black moor indeed is either a girl too or just not in the mood or simply too old.

Thank you, LaurieP and Ranchugirl for trying to help! I just have never had a goldfish lay eggs before, and am pretty excited. Its just frustrating, because I don't know if I should go get a male for Sweet Potato. I'd love for her to breed with Nightstalker, but his gender is ambiguous for now...Thanks for saying that their names are cute... Sweet Potato got her name b/c she's big and round like a potato and a pretty orange shade. And of course she's sweet!!! i've only had her for two days but I'm in love! She has such personality and great facial expressions. Nightstalker (who got his name because he's a gorgeous velvet black and he's also very sneaky) has lived with us for about a year and is SPoILED! When he turned 6 months we had a birthday party for him. His year birthday is in May and I'm sure there'll be another party. I'm glad I found this discussion board, b/c it's hard to find other people who get excited about goldfish..when I told some aquaintances about Sweet Potato laying eggs, there were many tasteless jokes about eating fish! People don't understand that these are cherished pets. Well, any more advice is welcome and I'll keep everyone posted about the adventures of Sweet Potato and Nightstalker. I'll get some pictures soon! THANKS.