Okay, we've determined that of Golda, Meir and Palmer, Meir and Palmer are males. They have the white bumps on their pectoral fins and on their gill covers. Palmer almost killed Golda yesterday, she's got some real damage to her scales, so we removed him, and have found a home for him that he's going to tonite.

Meir isnt going after her the same way, tho his bumps are up. He's also been around her since the beginning, when we got them as babies from a feeder tank at Petco for 12 cents over a year ago. he's just not being aggressive, so we're watching him carefully.

I've read that the males will be aggressive trying to literally "bump" the eggs out of the female, but it doesnt seem that's happened, at least we dont see any eggs. Should we worry about her being 'egg bound'? What are the symptoms of that and IF it happens, what do we do? Is there a way to prevent it?

Also, how often will this happen? Dogs go "into heat" about 4-6 times a year I've heard, but you can get them spayed to stop it. Is there a way to do that with fish?

Help! Could someone explain this stuff please???

Hi tinker, it is good you got the aggressor a home. Males and females can live together fine without incident depending on the fish, so your other male may be ok. Or young yet.
One of my males (a very dark blue oranda) gets the tubrecales all the time but never chases the girls. He is very docile and gentle fish.

For the female, egg bound fish are usually very swollen and distined looking. You may not see eggs and yet she has produced them. Look closely at the plants eggs will stick to them. But the fish usually eat them quickly so no evidence is seen. Often without catching them in the act it is hard to know if she expelled them.

You can take precautions if she is staying swollen by increasing the heat to 80 degrees (slowly, 2 degrees an hour) and using epsom salts. Much like the treatment for dropsy only no med is needed. If within a few days she doesn't seem to get better then the boundness can lead to compaction.........very bad. In that case you will need to start medicated food and follow the same treatment as above.

Good luck.