Depressed Goldfish

[drwhofan]

I might sound mad but I've had a goldfish for a year now and for about a week its seemed really depressed. There's nothing physically wrong with it and whenever I enter the room and sit there and watch it or talk to it, it's much more lively. It also loves to watch its own reflection in the side of the tank. It has lots of plants to hide in and places to forage etc, and a varied diet. Could it be lonely? its in a tank that does have room for other fish if this is the case, I'm just worried that my current one might get bullied or something. Help!

[B00]

A good forum here dedicated to Goldfish (I kid you not!) It might be of help to you.

http://www.kokosgoldfish.invisionzone.com/foru m/index.php?showforum=67

[Kozmic Blues]

Goldfish seem to like company,if you are thinking of buying another one get one of the same size and breed prefrably.Goldfish genraly get along well.

If you decide to buy another fish you will need a seperate tank/bowl to quarintne it for a few days,just to make sure not pass any disease onto the fish already you have.

[luckyeight]

Have no advice on the goldfish bein depressed, but if you do get your fish a companion I would suggest getting a fish of equivalent size, because large goldfish do tend to bully smaller ones.

[wildwood]

Have you tried to find out if it has been abused when it was a little fish? Or perhaps its parents were not very attentative.

Seriously, goldfish are carp and do like to be in company of their kindred. Even the company of a human is preferable to loneliness. Do as the others say, get another one to join it.
btw The fish can't see its reflection in the side-glass from within the tank. This is only visible from outside the tank and has to do with refraction. If ,however, you can place a mirror somehow against the side of the tank so that the fish thinks it is not alone, you won't need to get another one if you don't want to. It won't know it is looking at its relection.