Goldfish

[Cybele]

How do goldfish procreate?

[Clanad]

During spawning the male will vigorously chase the female and push her to the surface where they will release their eggs and milt together. The tiny, individual eggs will attach to whatever they touch. (Source: World of Fish)

[Cybele]

Wow! In that case I have a small fantail chasing a large shibukin around the pond., and pushing it to the surface. (I thought they were fighting) The shibukin is twice the size of the fantail. In actual fact, both my fantails are working on the shibukin. Also is it true that they eat they fry? Is there any way to prevent this happening?
How long before the eggs hatch (if that's the proper term)

[Clanad]

Temperature is the controlling factor... usually two or three days to hatch... all fish are feeders of opportunity... they'll certainly eat the fry if they can... that's why many more eggs are layed than can survive and fry hatched than can grow .. nature at work!

[Cybele]

Hi Clanad,

Thank you for your very comprehensive answer. Much appreciated.

[paddywak]

Cybele.even if you get some fry dont expect to see them too soon as they will be black to enable them to blend in to the pond life until they are to big to eat, the time taking to change colour varying accord to to all sorts of things. In my pond I've fish 1in long that are fully coloured and some 3-4in that are as black as ever

[Cybele]

Hi Paddywak,

Thank you for the information I have noted it well. Let's hope some survive!

Cheers

[paddywak]

Cybele, as Clanad says they lay loads of eggs, so it will be unlikely that they will all get eaten or die, so hopefully you'll look in the pond one day and see some babies swimming about

[Cybele]

Yippie!!

I'm going to be a 'mummy' - without all the effort! Thanks Paddywak.