Chasing

[Big Frank]

I have a 1000 gallon pond, very well filtered and aerated, I am not new to keeping fish, I have kept a happy pond for over 15 years now. I have a mixture of fish, Koi, Shubunkin, Goldfish. Tonight 3 of the goldfish were chasing constantly one of the others. They seemed relentless and the poor thing seemed exhausted and was tirelessly was trying to avoid them. Was it mating perhaps? I have removed it now and put it in a quarantine tank, was this the right thing?

 

[dieselplower]

Yes to all.

 

[DoDad]

If you want babies put them back together..

 

[Big Frank]

thanks, how long should i leave it in quarantine, will she have her eggs in quarantine without the males present

 

[Big Frank]

i dont want babies

 

[dieselplower]

Maybe you can put 2 of the less desireable chasers in QT and put the female back in the pond with the best looking male?

 

[Big Frank]

good idea, i would love more but don't have the space

 

[dieselplower]

Most of the fry will be eaten if you leave them in the pond anyway. You can sell some on craigslist too if you are up to it.

 

[Dave 54]

You may have the wrong ratio of male to female goldfish and need more females o less males but that is breeding behaour which can be quite brutal on the female



Dave

 

[Shdwdrgn]

I agree with what Dave said, you've got to try and keep a more balanced ratio. I quite frequently see 3-4 males chasing a single female, but since I have a lot of females, the males tend to expend their energy without completely wearing out any single female.

If you really want to make sure you never have any babies, get yourself one or two weather loaches. They will not leave a single egg or hatchling uneaten, but otherwise they don't bother the fish.