How do you tell if your fish are fighting or playing?

Even fish that are typically docile fish may chase others because of constant stress. This could be due to incompatible tank mates, poor water conditions, or an overcrowded tank. When fish chase each other, it may look like they are playing, but this behavior is a warning sign.

Why do my fish look like they are fighting?

It shouldn't surprise you that fish fight over the same things that people do: food, mates, territory and so forth. It's a good thing fish aren't religious or political. Most aggression in the aquarium occurs over territory. Many species swim wherever they want and are fancy-free.

What are signs of aggression in fish?

Identifying the Signs of Aggression in Fish

Things like split fins, changes in behavior among your fish, changes in territory, scratches and scrapes, missing scales, and obvious wounds are all signs of fighting.

Why are my fish nipping at each other?

Too many males for the number of females in a tank will also cause fin nipping, head butting, and other forms of aggression that can injure your fish. Schooling fish who are kept as the only one of their kind or in a too-small school can also turn aggressive and nip the fins of their nonschooling tankmates.

Why are my fish chasing one fish?

To show dominance

Among a shoal of a single fish species, you may notice that one or two fish routinely chase the others around the tank. These are usually male fish, and this is how they show their dominance. In the wild, just like among other animals, shoal-living species of fish often have a dominant male.

What's Going on Here? Fighting or Courtship?

Why are my 2 goldfish chasing each other?

If your goldfish are chasing each other around the tank, this is sometimes the lead up to mating and generally not cause for concern. What is this? However, if your tank is overcrowded or your fish are in competition over food, your goldfish may become stressed and chase each other off in competition for resources.

How do fish play together?

They might wrestle with each other and even sound like they're fighting … but then lie down on the grass, give each other loving winks, and stare at the crackling firepit together. If they're fighting, it's undeniable. They're louder, and aggressive dogs will physically hurt each other if given the chance.

Why are my fish rubbing on things?

Flicking, flashing and scratching behaviours could be caused by irritation of the skin by high ammonia levels in the water, extremes of pH or residual chlorine in the water due to ineffective or absent tapwater conditioning.

How do I know if my fish are happy?

How do you tell the difference between male and female goldfish?

The anal fin in males is closer to the tail compared to females. Male goldfish tend to have more flowing fins and tails compared to females. Male goldfish tend to have a slightly smaller and skinnier body compared to females. Females will have a larger and rounder body and their abdomen can appear soft.

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.

Are my goldfish trying to mate?

The mating “dance” of goldfish is tiring and they will chase each other nearly to the point of exhaustion! This usually goes on for several hours and may also include the male nipping at the female's tail and fins.

Do fish play with toys?

Fish are playful pets. They like to chase each other for fun and hide behind aquatic plants. Sometimes, they serenely glide through the water or play with aquarium toys. Yes, toys!

What do goldfish like to play with?

Creating a Playful Environment. Use large and smooth gravel stones. Goldfish love to swim around the bottom of the tank. Because of this, you need to make sure your stones are large so that they cannot be swallowed.

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.

How do I know my goldfish is happy?

What fish can change gender?

Clown fish begin life as males, then change into females, and kobudai do the opposite. Some species, including gobies, can change sex back and forth. The transformation may be triggered by age, size, or social status.

How often should you feed goldfish?

Feed 2-3 times daily. It is important to avoid overfeeding goldfish as this can cause indigestion and/or contaminate the tank. In terms of the amount to feed, a good rule of thumb is to only feed an amount that the goldfish can consume in under two minutes or only feed as much as the size of the goldfish's eye.

How long are goldfish pregnant?

Hatching Time

After release and fertilization, goldfish eggs hatch in two to seven days. In water at 84 degrees Fahrenheit, fertilized goldfish eggs hatch in 46 to 54 hours; in water at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, they hatch in five to seven days.

Is it OK to turn off aquarium light at night?

Aquarium fish do not need light and it is best that you turn it off during the night. Leaving the light on can cause stress to fish as they need a period of darkness to sleep. Too much light will cause algae to rapidly grow and make your tank look dirty. So the short answer is no, do not leave your lights on.

Why are my fish so active?

The gills of your fish are in constant motion as the fish breathe, but it could be a sign of illness if the gill movement becomes much faster than usual. Rapid gill movement can be a general indication of stress or it might point to a particular disease like flukes, mites, or Ich.

What does it mean when a fish follows you?

Because fish often rely upon a complex web of senses beyond sight, many signals - chemical, hormonal, activity and sound - will attracts them and they know when you are, and will trail you, long before you see them.

Why is my fish hitting the tank?

High ammonia or nitrate levels, low oxygen levels, improper temperature or a high or low pH can cause stress. If you have a saltwater tank, incorrect salt levels could have a similar effect.