2 questions about goldfish

R

random_zooey

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Jan 27, 2005
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I've read that, when gone on short vacations (less than two weeks), you don't have to worry about a timer-feeder and can simply allow your goldfish to fast (particularly if you have live plants in your tank, which I do). I've never seen this repeated, though - so I'm wondering if anyone else knows this to be true.

I did this with my common goldfish for a few days over Christmas and he was fine. Now I have a fancy in there too though (a Black Peony); since he's less hardy than the common, and since I've never seen him eat the plants, I'm apprehensive to do this again.

My second question is about their relationship. The common often chases the fancy around, and I'm worried about stress. I've noticed damage to two of the fancy's scales, although I don't think there's any fin nipping going on because his fins are as beautiful as ever. Should I bring my fancy back to the petstore, or will they be fine in there together? Is this some pre-breeding thing that's going on? I know the common is male, but I'm having difficulty sexing the fancy (he's just too dark) - so "he" may be female, I don't know. Is it even possible for a fancy to breed with a common?

Okay, sorry for the longwind!
 
What size tank are they in?

Generally healthy fish can go for up to 2 weeks without being fed, especially if the temp in the tank is lower.

But goldfish can create a lot of waste so while a few days should be fine, I am not sure about the water quality after 2 weeks have gone by. I would be fine doing it with my tropicals but I don't know about goldies as much.
 
They're two small fish in a 10g tank. I do have a filter, and the plants of course - but no, you're right about the water quality after two weeks. That's okay, though, because I'm never gone for more than a week at a time (a girl's gotta work :rolleyes: ). Thanks for your help.
 
1 week will be perfectly fine for 2 fish, even heavy waste producers. Don't add anymore fish and if you want them to be healthy think about a bigger tank in the future as a single common can become over 1 foot long if allowed. Keeping them too long in a smaller tank will lead to stunting and a shorter lifespan. Large scale weekly or biweekly water changes will help keep pollutant levels lower and reduce the stunting to a degree.
 
Does anyone have any input on the chasing? I should also mention that they aren't always like this (chasing/being chased) - I think that for the most part they're very peaceful with one another.
 
Generally speaking fancy varities shouldn't be housed with the common, that's why the chasing is occuring. Two weeks is the longest id go without feeding but would feed will just before leaving and do a big wc before and after I got back.
 
Okay that explains the chasing, but what should I do about it? I mean, I already have the two fish, so it comes down to returning the fancy or keeping him. For the most part they swim around the tank peacefully ... the chasing happens almost exclusively after feeding (as far as I know, anyway). I don't want to stress my fish! But I don't want to return him if it isn't necessary ... I've become attached to the little guy.
 
You have kind of answerered your own question. It's feeding time that tends to bring out the most aggression-but with no fin damage if feeding time is the only problem time it should be alright.
 
you might try to treat the chasing like they do with redtail sharks have 3, 5 ,or 7 goldfish in there that will get the interest of of the one being chased all the time and should take the center focus off the fish chasing it .
 
chasing after feeding is normal behaviour, it shows they are excited from being fed. theres nothing you can do to stop it, i think its also related to breeding behaviour though it doesnt mean they are about to breed. your fish are relaxed and happy, enjoy watching them :)
 
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