Pregnant goldfish???

[fishfriend]

I have goldfish in an outside pond and I think one is definitely pregnant... Can't stand the thought of the little babies getting eaten. I have seen that goldfish lay eggs, but are they fertilized before they are born or after? Do I need to seperate her into a tank with plants, or there is a moss I believe that is good for livebearing fish that the babies could hide in, I don't know if that would help. Does the moss float, do the eggs sink? Help!!! People think that I am crazy that I am obsessed with these litlle fish, but I can't help it. Can anyone offer any advice?

[rubysoho]

I believe if you research breeding pond fish on the internet, you'll find some manmade ways of protecting the eggs (which are fertilized *hopefully* right after the female lays them). Sorry I can't help you more.

[shev]

I have goldfish in an outside pond and I think one is definitely pregnant... Can't stand the thought of the little babies getting eaten. I have seen that goldfish lay eggs, but are they fertilized before they are born or after? Do I need to seperate her into a tank with plants, or there is a moss I believe that is good for livebearing fish that the babies could hide in, I don't know if that would help. Does the moss float, do the eggs sink? Help!!! People think that I am crazy that I am obsessed with these litlle fish, but I can't help it. Can anyone offer any advice?

First off, in order for eggs to hatch, they must be fertilized. after she spawns the eggs, then the male will release semen fertilizing them. goldfish eggs will most likely be found embedded in some plants, or stuck to some wood. seperate the eggs or fry from the parents and other fish, they will eat the eggs and the fry. the fry wont need to hide unless there are other fish in there. the moss you are talking about is pobably java moss, which can float, sink, or stick to stuff. whatever the eggs are stuck to just stick that in the tank. if the goldfish is full of eggs, and doesnt spawn, the eggs will be reabsorbed for nutrients. I would wait until she spawns, warmer water triggers comet goldfishes to spawn in the spring (im assuming theyre comets, but other goldfish do this also) it would be more difficult to spawn the female in the aquarium, ususally to spawn a female you need a ratio of 2 males to 1 female. the eggs, spawned in or out of the tank, will probably be eaten before they reach anything. females can spawn a 1000 eggs, by bringing them inside usually the temp of the tank would be warmer than the pond water, this temp increase usually forces them to spawn their eggs with our without males, but then they wouldnt be fertilized.

luckily goldfish are gluttons, and when young will accept prepared foods. live plants are good in fry tanks, it provides somewhere to hide and when fish are young, they have very small stomachs, and need many small feedings throughout the day. if they only ate the food you provided they would die, there are single celled orrganisms in your tank that fry feed on, plants help these organisms by providing more surface area and such, also goldfish will eat the plants. but live fry food like BBS or microworms is best by far.

it depends on the goldfish you have usually the N american spawn the same ways, but the fancy or oriental ones spawn differently. it may be hard to find the eggs after they are spawned, especially in a large pond with many plants, Good luck.

[fishfriend]

Thank you for your help... There are alot of fish in my pond - And unfortunately, the bigger fish eat all of the plants I put in there. I was thinking the guy at my local fish store was crazy when he said it would require near perfect conditions to have fish babies - But now, I see he is right!!!