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When goldfish are preparing to lay eggs (otherwise known as “spawning”) the goldfish is said to be pregnant. If you believe your goldfish may be preparing to spawn, there are several ways to find out. First, try to figure out whether or not the conditions are right for your fish to spawn. Then, try to observe "pre-spawning" behaviors in both your male and female fish. Although it is rare, it is possible to purchase a pregnant goldfish. Otherwise, your fish will only become pregnant if there are both male and female fish present.
Steps
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Find out if your fish is female. The best way to find out the sex of your goldfish is to ask when you buy the fish or to consult a vet. That said, females goldfish typically have plump bodies. When viewed from above, you can usually notice fuller bellies on the females, and slender midsections of the males. Also, the female pectoral fins (located just behind the gills) are shorter and rounder than those on males. [1] X Research source- Additionally, goldfish will generally not lay eggs until they are at least one year old.
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Consider the time of year. If your goldfish is kept outside, it will only spawn during the spring. If your goldfish has always been kept inside, it could spawn at any time of year. Think about what season it is when determining if your outdoor goldfish is pregnant. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Check your water temperature. Goldfish are most likely to breed in water that is around 72 °F (22 °C). If you believe your goldfish may be preparing to spawn, check the temperature of your water to see if the temperature right.
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Look for spawning tubercles on your male goldfish. When your male goldfish are ready to spawn, they will develop tiny white bumps known as “spawning tubercles” around their heads, gill covers, and pectoral fins. If you notice these white spots on your male fish, there is a greater chance that your female fish may be pregnant. [3] X Research source- Spawning tubercles may be hard to see. If you do not see these, it doesn’t mean that your fish isn't pregnant.
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Notice male goldfish chasing female goldfish. When they are preparing to spawn, the male fish may chase the female ones, in a dance sometimes called the “spawning chase.” In many cases, this behavior is more obvious than spawning tubercles (which can be hard to see). [4] X Research source -
Pay attention to your goldfish’s activity level. When goldfish are about to lay eggs, they usually start to move more sluggishly. Take note if your goldfish is moving slowly or seems to have trouble getting around. [5] X Research source- You may also notice your goldfish “nesting,” or spending most of the time hiding near shelters or plants.
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Notice if your fish refuses food. When are fish are preparing to spawn, they will sometimes refuse food. If your goldfish isn't eating as much, it is possible that they may lay eggs soon. [6] X Research source -
Note the size of your goldfish’s body. Female goldfish are generally a bit rounder than male goldfish. When your female goldfish is about to lay eggs, the size of their belly may grow even larger, and stick out a bit. [7] X Research source- Just like the spawning tubercles, in some fish this can be quite noticeable, yet in others, you may not see it at all.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionDo goldfish need cold or hot water?Community AnswerGoldfish should be placed in cool or cold water, but never in hot water.
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QuestionWhat do the eggs look like?Community AnswerThe eggs are small in size at about 1 mm. They are also clear.
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QuestionWhat if my goldfish is urgently looking for a place to lay, but there are no plants or sponges? I put in a large seashell, which she ignored. What else can I do?Community AnswerTry putting in plants if she won't accept a seashell. Also, remove the seashell, because seashells dramatically change the water chemistry, and can easily kill your fish.
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References
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/tell-goldfish-ready-lay-eggs-9390.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/tell-goldfish-ready-lay-eggs-9390.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/tell-goldfish-ready-lay-eggs-9390.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/tell-goldfish-ready-lay-eggs-9390.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/tell-goldfish-ready-lay-eggs-9390.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/tell-goldfish-ready-lay-eggs-9390.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/tell-goldfish-ready-lay-eggs-9390.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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To tell if a goldfish is pregnant, see if its belly looks larger than usual, which is a sign that it's about to spawn. If your goldfish is moving slowly or hiding near shelters or plants a lot, this could be a sign that it’s pregnant. When you feed your fish, pay attention to how much it eats, since pregnant goldfish often eat less or refuse food altogether. In addition to examining your female goldfish, look for tiny white bumps on your male fish, which it will develop when it’s ready to spawn. If your male has also been chasing your female goldfish around the tank recently, this could be a sign that your female is pregnant. For more tips, including how to figure out the sex of your goldfish, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "We have a huge pond in our field and some friends gave us some goldfish that have been out of sight all winter. Over the last few weeks they have been more visible and now can be seen at the waters edge where it is warmer. Maybe they're ready to spawn!" ..." more
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"We have a huge pond in our field and some friends gave us some goldfish that have been out of sight all winter. Over the last few weeks they have been more visible and now can be seen at the waters edge where it is warmer. Maybe they're ready to spawn!"
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"The big goldfish just started chasing the other little one. I thought they were both male, so I tried to stop him from bullying the other. Now I know what's going on, thanks to your article. Thank you."
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"I possibly have pregnant gold fish. My pond female is rather fat, sluggish and hides in an old planter submerged in the water. Clarity, exellent."
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"It helped me by telling me about how to determine the gender and many other things. This article is great for beginners, it's awesome. Thanks!"
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"It helped me by telling me if my Randy and Codie are mating and if Codie is pregnant. I will soon want to use wikiHow for all my fish needs."
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