Spawning or playing?

[George Thompson]

Since the recent seperation of my chocolate oranda, my two goldfish
have been obviously missing her. However, recently, they seem to have
begun acting normal(ish) again. But I'm a little worried.

My goldfish has lost a couple of scales and is chasing the shubunkin,
nudging around the anal port. So I thought: hmmm, spawing, not what I
need.

But now I've seen the shubunkin doing the same back. Are they
playing? or spawning? or do I have fish with odd sexual preferences?

Both seem happy to do normal goldfish things (like rooting) and
swimming back and forth. They also seem to like hiding under the
filter (a small gap about 2" high and 4" wide. Both fish are 3" long
and do not fit well under this gap.

Could this be a whole "I'm rooting here and this is my turf?" it seems
harmless but I dunno :- ) (hence the question).

[Graeme]

"George Thompson" > wrote in message
m...
> Since the recent seperation of my chocolate oranda, my two goldfish
> have been obviously missing her. However, recently, they seem to have
> begun acting normal(ish) again. But I'm a little worried.
>
> My goldfish has lost a couple of scales and is chasing the shubunkin,
> nudging around the anal port. So I thought: hmmm, spawing, not what I
> need.

Almost the same thing here. My comet goldfish always seem to do this with
the shubunkin after (and during feeding). So they would both start eating,
and a few seconds later off goes the goldfish chasing it around the tank.
The shubunkin really doesn't seem to care, as he just grabs food as he goes
around the tank (I bottom feed flakes, so they kind of float about). This
has happened for months now. Only lasts for a few seconds, but may happen a
few times in any one feeding time.

> But now I've seen the shubunkin doing the same back. Are they
> playing? or spawning? or do I have fish with odd sexual preferences?

I would say its playing - in my case the shubunkin never does the chase -
all it seems to be ever interested in is feeding and when not feeding,
looking for food :-)

Graeme

[Dark Phoenix]

"Graeme" > wrote in message
...
>
>> I would say its playing - in my case the shubunkin never does the chase -
> all it seems to be ever interested in is feeding and when not feeding,
> looking for food :-)
>
> Graeme

Must be a shubunkin thing- my shubunkin is the biggest pig. Always the first
to the food; when I stick my hand into the tank for something, she's
"chewing" away at my fingers. Glad she's not a pirahna!

--
Laurie, Dark Phoenix

"Every dog has it's day, but nights are reserved for cats." -

[Vissy Dartae]

> But now I've seen the shubunkin doing the same back. Are they
> playing? or spawning? or do I have fish with odd sexual preferences?

Could be playing. But I have a fantail who chased my oranda from time
to time-- she (oranda) actually produced eggs one day. Now the oranda
is gone :^( and the fantail is producing eggs for a new fantail. Go
figure.

(We have never tried to raise the fry.)

Anyway, the new fantail is definitely a male and is extremely
single-minded. It gets rough and I have to put in a tank divider
sometimes to give her a rest.

If yours are just occasionally nipping and nudging, I don't think I'd
worry. That sounds like normal goldfish interaction.

[George Thompson]

(Vissy Dartae) wrote in message >...
> > But now I've seen the shubunkin doing the same back. Are they
> > playing? or spawning? or do I have fish with odd sexual preferences?
>
> Could be playing. But I have a fantail who chased my oranda from time
> to time-- she (oranda) actually produced eggs one day. Now the oranda
> is gone :^( and the fantail is producing eggs for a new fantail. Go
> figure.
>
> (We have never tried to raise the fry.)
>
> Anyway, the new fantail is definitely a male and is extremely
> single-minded. It gets rough and I have to put in a tank divider
> sometimes to give her a rest.
>
> If yours are just occasionally nipping and nudging, I don't think I'd
> worry. That sounds like normal goldfish interaction.

Today the shubunkin was swimming rings round the goldfish, nudging it.
It was quite funny. I really ought to get a job to support my fishy
babies :- )