Random Goldfish Question! 28 January 2010 at 5:58PM in Pets & pet care 12 replies 834 views

Cool_Username

We have two goldfish in a bowl at home - almost all day long the one goldfish chases the other around the tank! Is this a male chasing a female do you think?

Bit random I know but the one is getting chased around constantly!

Fire_Fox

Maybe they are warring, goldfish need a lot more space than a bowl I think.

Cool_Username

Well when I say bowl I don't mean something little - maybe I should've been clearer, it's a large spherical tank.

Fire_Fox

You mean like a Biorb?
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2200677
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2032371

giantmutantbroccoli

Could be male and female, or it could be playing. Or something a bit more aggressive. I'm sure your setup is fine, but just in case, do make sure they've got a place where one can hide from the other - stops them getting stressed.

Magpye

Sounds like a male chasing a female. I had two goldfish when I was younger, a very large and healthy female and a little s*d of a male who would harass her the length of the tank over and over again. We eventually ended up with sixty-odd fry to look after. We gave the male away to a freidn who had a pond once the female died and he's still going strong, harassing the koi!

Cissi

Cool_Username wrote: »

Well when I say bowl I don't mean something little - maybe I should've been clearer, it's a large spherical tank.

No idea if this could have anything to do with it, but I think goldfish can get really stressed in round tanks - they need corners to orientate themselves?

Cool_Username

I never really thought that the bowl might be the problem - they seem fine other than the constant chasing!

Fire_Fox

There are quite a few threads on fishkeeping, it would be worth reading around the board and getting advice on a proper setup. If you do have a Biorb I think I read even the manufacturer don't recommend them for goldfish but that doesn't stop some shops encouraging their misuse! Poor fishies.

Curious_George_2

one of our shubunkins is a proper bully... but only in the evening when hes hungry!
they get fed twice a day (dont worry about over feeding, this is correct practice for shubunkins) first thing in the morning and last thing at night

and Vince Noir (the alpha fish) gets really ratty just before the night feed... he chases the other bunkies and the 2 fatty pearl scales around until we drop some food in!
but that breed are known to be proper scavengers and always hungry!

milliebear00001

It might be stressed. Biorbs are absolutely not recommended for Goldfish. These fish need LOTS of space - literally litres of it. They can also be quite aggressive in groups anyway.

If you can rehome them, I would. If you want to keep the Biorb (which look great) then get some tetra and other tinies!