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Home / What Does It Mean When Goldfish Get Black Spots

What Does It Mean When Goldfish Get Black Spots

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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.

  1. 1

    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]

    • Additionally, goldfish will generally not lay eggs until they are at least one year old.

  2. 2

    Consider the time of year. If your goldfish is kept outside, it will only spawn during the spring or early summer. 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]

  3. 3

    Check your water temperature. Goldfish are most likely to breed in water that is around 68 °F (20 °C). If you believe your goldfish may be preparing to spawn, check the temperature of your water to see if the temperature right.[3]

  1. 1

    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.[4]

    • Spawning tubercles may be hard to see. If you do not see these, it doesn't mean that your fish isn't pregnant.

  2. 2

    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).[5]

  3. 3

    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.[6]

    • You may also notice your goldfish "nesting," or spending most of the time hiding near shelters or plants.

  4. 4

    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.[7]

  5. 5

    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.[8]

    • Just like the spawning tubercles, in some fish this can be quite noticeable, yet in others, you may not see it at all.

Add New Question

  • Question

    Do goldfish need cold or hot water?

    Community Answer

    Goldfish should be placed in cool or cold water, but never in hot water.

  • Question

    What do the eggs look like?

    Community Answer

    The eggs are small in size at about 1 mm. They are also clear.

  • Question

    What 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 Answer

    Try 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.

  • Question

    My fish keeps chasing my other one around. Will she get pregnant?

    Community Answer

    Goldfish don't get pregnant that way; all fertilization happens outside. The female will spray her eggs and the male will spray sperm on them to fertilize them. The eggs will simply attach to any surface they land on.

  • Question

    What if the fish is lying on its side and then starts to move when I come near and goes up to the surface?

    Community Answer

    If your fish is on its side, it sound like a swim bladder issue. At this stage, it is unlikely there is anything you can do to help if your fish is floating. Try changing the water and reducing the water level see if this helps a bit.

  • Question

    One of my fish is starting to look fatter than usual, also another one died the day before I noticed this. Does this mean she's pregnant?

    Community Answer

    Goldfish don't get pregnant, as they are egg bearers. However they will increase in size when ready to lay. If your goldfish are getting fat and then dying, this is more likely a case of dropsy rather than pregnancy.

  • Question

    Will males eat the eggs? I'm really not sure.

    Community Answer

    Yes, sometimes males will eat the eggs.

  • Question

    Why would the male eat the female's eggs?

    Community Answer

    This could be because of stress, or the fish senses the eggs could be unfertilized after a while.

  • Question

    How many eggs do goldfish usually lay at once?

    Community Answer

    A goldfish can lay up to 1,000 eggs at once, but the exact number will depend on a variety of factors.

  • Question

    What can I do with the baby fish?

    Community Answer

    If you don't want them, leave them with the parents; they will eat them. If you do, get a new tank setup with a sponge filter, and start hatching brine shrimp. Give the baby goldfish the brine shrimp until they are big enough to accept regular baby goldfish food.

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Article SummaryX

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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What Does It Mean When Goldfish Get Black Spots

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Goldfish-Is-Pregnant