Page 343 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

GOLDFISH 341

BREEDING GOLDFISH IN PONDS AND AQUARIUMS

Goldfish can be spawned
successfully in both aquariums and
ponds. Outdoors, spawning typically
occurs in the mornings on warm days.
The males chase after the females and
nudge at their flanks to encourage them to
release their eggs. It is advisable to cover the
pond with a net when the fish are likely to
spawn, because they often break the surface at
this time. The resulting disturbance can attract
predators, such as cats, herons, and seagulls.
A special breeding tank is recommended for
aquarium fish, which are otherwise likely to eat
all their spawn. In a well-planted pond, however,
with a good undergrowth of oxygenators, some
eggs are likely to survive through to hatching. Male goldfish in
The female lays 500 tiny eggs at a time, which breeding condition
swell on contact with water and then start to have white swellings
sink. The sticky eggs anchor readily to the leaves on the gill plates. This
of plants and other objects. It is vital that the should not be confused
with the disease white-
eggs are fertilized immediately after they are laid, spot (see p.58), which
because it will be too late once the eggs have affects the entire body.
absorbed water and become swollen.
Infertile eggs are soon attacked by fungus.
Fertilized eggs hatch in about four days at a
temperature of 68°F (20°C), but at 50°F (10°C) White swellings
also extend along
hatching takes about two weeks; this delay the top edge
increases the vulnerability of fertile eggs to of the pectoral
fungal attack. Young aquarium fish need to be fins in males.
reared on a suitable fry food once they are free-
swimming. Supplementary feeding is not usually
required for those hatched in ponds.

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