Is it cruel to keep a goldfish alone?

Goldfish are just not the same as humans – they're not social animals in the same way that we are, and they don't have the same capacity to get bored or long for companionship. In fact, many of the longest living goldfish have been kept alone, with no obvious harm to their well being.
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Can you keep just one goldfish?

To answer the question: Yes, goldfish can live alone. In fact, many goldfish can live long, healthy, happy lives all on their own. Just remember, though, not all goldfish will be happy on their own, and some would prefer the company of other tank mates.
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Do goldfish get sad when alone?

While we can never know for sure, there is no indication that goldfish get lonely. It's likely that when you spot a single goldfish that seems lethargic or depressed, it is far more likely that there is a problem with its environment or health than it is that the goldfish is lonely.
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Do single fish get lonely?

In captivity, it's strongly recommended that they should be kept at least in pairs, to provide companionship. If you watch fish in a tank, you'll see that they regularly engage with other fish. It's thought that solitary fish, much like solitary humans, may begin to suffer from depression and lethargy.
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How long can you leave a goldfish alone?

Ideally, they should feed your goldfish 2 to 3 times a day. But as now that we know that goldfish can survive about 2 weeks without food, you can ask your neighbor or friend to feed your fish once a day or even once in 2 to 3 days will be just fine.
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Goldfish Wen Trimming Surgery - How I Trim An Overgrown Ranchu Wen.



Do goldfish like having friends?

Even though your goldfish probably enjoys their space to play and explore, they are also very sociable and love other fish friends.
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Do goldfish miss their owners?

The research was done on archerfish, a silver and black tropical species, popular in aquaria. However, researcher Cait Newport said it is possible the skill extends to other species, meaning pet goldfish may remember their owners.
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How can you tell if your goldfish is unhappy?

Strange Swimming: When fish are stressed, they often develop odd swimming patterns. If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.
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How do I play with my goldfish?

You can actually interact with your goldfish by teaching them to swim through hoops and push balls around. You can also feed them with your fingers. Playing with your goldfish is a fun and engaging way to enjoy owning a pet fish.
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Do goldfish get bored in tanks?

Fish-keepers sometimes see their pets 'glass surfing' – swimming repeatedly up and down the glass of the tank. This could be the aquatic equivalent of the pacing of a captive tiger that's bored from a lack of stimulation. But the fish could also be stressed from an overcrowded or unfamiliar tank.
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Do goldfish get excited to see you?

Goldfish are certainly smarter than you think. Some have been observed to perceive and remember well enough to distinguish between people. They often notice the person who feeds them each day, and will get excited when they see them.
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Should goldfish live in pairs?

Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy. Goldfish are generally not aggressive so they can be kept with most community fish provided the other fish are larger than the size of the goldfish's mouth.
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Do goldfish get depressed?

It turns out that not only can our gilled friends become depressed, but some scientists consider fish to be a promising animal model for developing anti-depressants.
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How do you play with fish?

To stimulate your fish's brain, give it toys like floating rocks and caves for it to hide in. You can even train your fish to do tricks like swim through a hoop or jump out of the water with a little practice. Keeping your fish healthy and active will help you enjoy your fish for longer.
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Can you introduce a new goldfish to an old one?

Introducing a New Goldfish to a Tank. The best way to transfer a new goldfish into its new home is to leave the fish in the oxygen and water filled bag that the pet store employee put your new pet into. Simply place it directly into the goldfish bowl or tank and wait until the water temperatures are equal.
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What size tank do I need for 2 goldfish?

Based on the rules above, the goldfish tank size we recommend for two goldfish is: 42 gallons for two Common goldfish. That's 30 gallons for the first fish and 12 additional gallons for the second fish.
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What is the best friend for a goldfish?

The Best Goldfish Tank Mates
  1. Rosy Barb. Rosy barbs are colorful freshwater fish that do just fine in slightly cooler environments. ...
  2. Platy Fish. Platies are another group-oriented species that do well as goldfish tank mates. ...
  3. Bristlenose Pleco. ...
  4. Hillstream Loach. ...
  5. Hoplo Catfish. ...
  6. Cherry Shrimp. ...
  7. Banded Corydoras. ...
  8. Mystery Snail.
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Is it cruel to keep fish as pets?

According to experts, keeping fish in bowls is inhuman for several reasons. Low surface to air ratio, no filters to clean the water and cramped space for the fish are some. Many cities across the world have banned fishbowls altogether.
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How can I cheer up my goldfish?

Make the tank interesting

Goldfish spend lots of time exploring their tanks to entertain themselves, so set up your tank in such a way as to provide lots of stimulus for your fish. Gravel, plants, ornaments and airflows can all make life interesting for your fish.
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Can fish love their owners?

Surprisingly, science has found that fish are capable of recognizing their owner's face, even if the owner is standing by the tank with other people. Fish can develop an association between something they like, being fed, with the person who feeds them.
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Why did my goldfish eat my other goldfish?

If goldfish don't have enough space, they may get stressed and eat other fish to clear up the room. Each goldfish needs 10 gallons of water. So if you add a second goldfish to your tank, you will need to have 20 gallons of water, and so on. If the tank is overcrowded, there's likely going to be trouble.
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What's the lifespan of a goldfish?

Goldfish have a lifespan averaging about 10-15 years, with some varieties living up to 30 years when provided with proper care. Unfortunately, many goldfish do not reach their lifespan potential due to inadequate housing conditions.
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Can a goldfish live with a Betta?

While betta fish and goldfish can technically live together in the same tank, it must be noted that this can come with great difficulty and health risks to both fish. As such, we recommend that betta fish live with goldfish as a last resort if an emergency arises in one of their separate tanks.
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Why do my goldfish swim towards me?

Usually goldfish swim up to meet you because they think you are going to feed them. They know they depend on you and love you back. It's so simple, even a 6 year old can tell if their goldfish is happy and healthy by using the goldfish behavior like/hate tips.
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