Gold fish

[Scotty01]

How do you know if goldfish are mateing?

 

[jlk]

Goldfish don't per say 'mate'. They do not pick mates either. They are an egg scattering breeder. Males will bump and chase a gravid female to encourage egg release then fertilize the scattered eggs. Then both males and females are just as likely to consume the eggs, too. Females can also release eggs without a male present. Bumping and chasing behaviors may be displayed by dominant males even if a female is not present as they will treat other males in the same fashion but it usually indicates a tank issue (toxins present, too small of tank, overstocked tank). Please ask if you have questions!

 

[Scotty01]

Ok good to know. It's probably water quality issues. I'm using three feeder goldfish to cycle a 25 gallon tank.

 

[jlk]

Do you have a good liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph? please check out the link below for more info on fishin cycling and please ask any questions!

I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice

 

[Scotty01]

Thanks jlk. Yes I do have good test kits. I am checking levels 1ce a day and doing 2 50% water changes a day. I'm a week in, ammonia levels are starting to drop

 

[Scotty01]

Oops...and nitrites are on the rise. Hopefully by this time next week things will start to level out.