Pecking Order

[Bill Stock]

Do Goldfish have a social hierarchy/Scooling?

I recently moved five GF from a 55 to a 75. I had cycled the new filter in
the old tank for a few weeks and moved a bit of gravel to the new tank. But
I wanted to be sure I did not have any ammonia/nitrate spikes, so I moved
the two small fish (2") first and waited a couple of days. They were pretty
much petrified in the new tank, hanging out at the bottom, not eating,
sticking together like glue. Next I moved my only fancy GF (5") and it was
pretty much the same story, although it did not hang out with the fry mates
as much. Today I moved the big fish, one about 6+ and another at 8+, they
were actually less stressed than the smaller fish. I was surprised that it
was easier to move the big fish than the smaller ones. Although Panfry (8+)
seems to have a slight tilt to him in the new tank.

But the strange thing is that the small fish seem more relaxed, now that the
big fish are back in the tank with them. Panfry is not waiting days to be
fed, he was up begging for food within hours. The others seem to be eating
more now too. So is this my imagination or does the School matter?

[sophie]

In message >, Bill Stock
> writes
>Do Goldfish have a social hierarchy/Scooling?
>
>I recently moved five GF from a 55 to a 75. I had cycled the new filter in
>the old tank for a few weeks and moved a bit of gravel to the new tank. But
>I wanted to be sure I did not have any ammonia/nitrate spikes, so I moved
>the two small fish (2") first and waited a couple of days. They were pretty
>much petrified in the new tank, hanging out at the bottom, not eating,
>sticking together like glue. Next I moved my only fancy GF (5") and it was
>pretty much the same story, although it did not hang out with the fry mates
>as much. Today I moved the big fish, one about 6+ and another at 8+, they
>were actually less stressed than the smaller fish. I was surprised that it
>was easier to move the big fish than the smaller ones. Although Panfry (8+)
>seems to have a slight tilt to him in the new tank.
>
>But the strange thing is that the small fish seem more relaxed, now that the
>big fish are back in the tank with them. Panfry is not waiting days to be
>fed, he was up begging for food within hours. The others seem to be eating
>more now too. So is this my imagination or does the School matter?

Sounds pretty much like my experience of moving three goldfish one by
one from a small to a larger tank. Also, for the first while after
moving the last one they all stuck together like glue.
--
sophie

[Raccoon]

When mine were moved from my lounge to the kitchen to await the new tank
being set up, they formed a small ball in the corner and wouldnt budge for
half a day. Strangely when they were put into the new tank they showed no
such behaviour and were wriggling round sticking their noses in the gravel
and playing in the bubbles.

I dont think I should have left that plate of sardines in the kitchen for
them to see............ oops


"Bill Stock" > wrote in message
...
> Do Goldfish have a social hierarchy/Scooling?
>
> I recently moved five GF from a 55 to a 75. I had cycled the new filter in
> the old tank for a few weeks and moved a bit of gravel to the new tank.
But
> I wanted to be sure I did not have any ammonia/nitrate spikes, so I moved
> the two small fish (2") first and waited a couple of days. They were
pretty
> much petrified in the new tank, hanging out at the bottom, not eating,
> sticking together like glue. Next I moved my only fancy GF (5") and it was
> pretty much the same story, although it did not hang out with the fry
mates
> as much. Today I moved the big fish, one about 6+ and another at 8+, they
> were actually less stressed than the smaller fish. I was surprised that
it
> was easier to move the big fish than the smaller ones. Although Panfry
(8+)
> seems to have a slight tilt to him in the new tank.
>
> But the strange thing is that the small fish seem more relaxed, now that
the
> big fish are back in the tank with them. Panfry is not waiting days to be
> fed, he was up begging for food within hours. The others seem to be eating
> more now too. So is this my imagination or does the School matter?
>
>
>

[Bill Stock]

"Raccoon" > wrote in message
...
> When mine were moved from my lounge to the kitchen to await the new tank
> being set up, they formed a small ball in the corner and wouldnt budge for
> half a day. Strangely when they were put into the new tank they showed no
> such behaviour and were wriggling round sticking their noses in the gravel
> and playing in the bubbles.
>
> I dont think I should have left that plate of sardines in the kitchen for
> them to see............ oops

They're still somewhat spooked, but getting better. The new tank is in a
darkened room (Home Theater), so I wonder if the reflections are an issue. I
know they tend to sit in the corner where the reflections are strongest.
They must think they've got five new tank mates. :)



>
> "Bill Stock" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Do Goldfish have a social hierarchy/Scooling?
> >
> > I recently moved five GF from a 55 to a 75. I had cycled the new filter
in
> > the old tank for a few weeks and moved a bit of gravel to the new tank.
> But
> > I wanted to be sure I did not have any ammonia/nitrate spikes, so I
moved
> > the two small fish (2") first and waited a couple of days. They were
> pretty
> > much petrified in the new tank, hanging out at the bottom, not eating,
> > sticking together like glue. Next I moved my only fancy GF (5") and it
was
> > pretty much the same story, although it did not hang out with the fry
> mates
> > as much. Today I moved the big fish, one about 6+ and another at 8+,
they
> > were actually less stressed than the smaller fish. I was surprised that
> it
> > was easier to move the big fish than the smaller ones. Although Panfry
> (8+)
> > seems to have a slight tilt to him in the new tank.
> >
> > But the strange thing is that the small fish seem more relaxed, now that
> the
> > big fish are back in the tank with them. Panfry is not waiting days to
be
> > fed, he was up begging for food within hours. The others seem to be
eating
> > more now too. So is this my imagination or does the School matter?
> >
> >
> >
>
>