Your goldfish might already be mating and before you know it, the eggs have already hatched. Worse, your goldfish might’ve already eaten their offsprings! So, let’s help you determine the breeding cycle.
It is easy for many beginners to overlook signs of reproduction among goldfish. Consequently, they fail to notice that they already have a pregnant goldfish until it is all too late. When this happens, there are high chances that your mature goldfish will eat the eggs.
What can you do to prevent this from occurring? How can you keep your goldfish healthy during the mating cycle? Find out below!
Table of Contents
When Do Goldfish Breed?
1. Spawning
In terms of age, goldfish may begin breeding as early as their first year. However, it is best to breed them at three years old. Meanwhile, in terms of size, they begin breeding as soon as they grow four inches long.
Goldfish reproduce at high water temperature. They begin breeding at a water temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In a process known as spawning, pregnant goldfish start releasing eggs at this heat. They are capable of delivering up to 1,000 eggs. Then, male goldfish release their sperms to fertilize a couple of eggs.
This process usually lasts up to four hours. It is easy to distinguish fertilized eggs from those that are not. The former usually comes in a transparent, golden-brown color while the latter comes in plain white.
How to Sex a Goldfish
2. Hatching
Hatching occurs five to seven days following spawning or fertilization at a water temperature of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, the fertilized eggs are hatched in a week. When the water temperature hits at least 84 degrees Fahrenheit, they are hatched in roughly 54 hours.
How To Look For A Pregnant Goldfish
Like with us, humans, you will know that a female goldfish is “pregnant” when her belly swells as the eggs swell. However, technically, female goldfish do not get “pregnant” because the eggs are not carried in the womb of a female goldfish for fertilization. You will notice the swelling of one’s belly once she is about to deliver the eggs.
A pregnant goldfish looks more rounded than a male goldfish. Then, a protruded vent indicates that she is ready for spawning.
However, among goldfish, even the male counterparts go through some changes during breeding. Do not be surprised if you see white bumps in their pectoral fins and gill covers; it is all but part of the process.
Aside from physical indications, male goldfish also exhibit changes in behavior. Out of their desire to get started with the fertilization of eggs, you will notice them chasing pregnant goldfish often. When they do, they usually bump their counterparts’ belly and sides.
Nevertheless, constantly chasing and pursuing a female goldfish may be stressful for her. Mainly, the aggressiveness will affect her immune system. If a male goldfish lingers around her for over seven days, you need to give her a break by moving her to a separate tank. Give them a couple of days apart.
How To Take Care Of A Pregnant Goldfish
Before the breeding starts, remember to place a spawning mop in your fish tank. This will allow you to detect and catch the released eggs easily. More importantly, it will help create an organic experience for your pregnant goldfish, and that is around aquatic plants.
1 Create Your Own Spawning Mop
When making your own spawning mop, you will need the following materials:
- A4 hardcover book
- Pair of scissors
- Dark green acrylic yarn
- Water in a pot
- Wine bottle cork
Easy DIY Spawning Mops
After gathering these materials, do the following steps:
- Boil the dark green acrylic yarn. The purpose of this step is to sterilize the wool, making it 100% safe for your pregnant goldfish.
- Open the A4 hardcover book. Place the end of the sting right behind its cover.
- Wrap the yarn roughly 50 times around the book’s length.
- Cut off the sting to the yarn from the book.
- Cut a 5” sting piece, which you will tie around the middle of the 50 strands to keep them together.
- Turn the book over.
- Cut the yarn around the back right, creating two strands of equal length.
- Using the loose strand on the top, tie the wine bottle cork. This will allow the spawning mop to float in the water.
- Lastly, place it in the fish tank where you shall conduct the breeding.
- Well, there you have it— an easy step-by-step procedure on how to resemble aquatic plants in natural habitats.
Well, there you have it— an easy step-by-step procedure on how to resemble aquatic plants in natural habitats.
2 To-Do List For Breeding Your Goldfish
To ensure that the breeding occurs and that your goldfish remain nourished, there are some things you need to do aside from raising and/or adjusting the water temperature regularly:
- Feed pregnant goldfish more often than you normally would, especially with a protein-rich diet. The likes of bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, among others should always be included in their meals. Then, balance the diet with fruits and vegetables to keep them healthy.
- Feeding your goldfish with more food may lead to them excreting more waste. So, it is highly recommended that you change at least 20% of the water daily.
- At least three days prior to mating, you might want to separate your male goldfish from their female counterparts. By doing so, they will have a greater longing to mate. Consequently, you will need a second fish tank.
- After three days, reintroduce your male goldfish to the first fish tank.
- Continue the frequent water changing, at least until you have returned your goldfish to their normal diet.
Goldfish Spawning
Controlling Tank Temperature
As I have mentioned earlier, goldfish require high water temperature settings to reproduce. Why is that?
Usually, in their natural environment, goldfish mate during the spring. So, you need to replicate these natural settings for them to mate and breed.
However, you cannot subject your goldfish to sudden temperature changes. It has to be gradual; otherwise, your pets may suffer from shock. For some, this even results in conditions such as swim bladder disease. Of course, you would not want that to happen!
Proper temperature control is also crucial when taking care of a pregnant goldfish. It affects the whole breeding process, which is why you need to be mindful of it at all times.
At first, you might be a little overwhelmed with this task. However, there is no need to worry. There are various temperature controllers on the market that can help you with your dilemma.
Here, I will introduce you to two of the most trusted thermostats when it comes to all kinds of applications— specifically, goldfish breeding.
1. Inkbird ITC-306T Outlet Thermostat with Dual Time Cycle
This electronic temperature controller is perfect for fish tanks, especially when you have a pregnant goldfish. It has an automatic temperature control system for all kinds of electric equipment. However, it is designed explicitly for breeding and planting.
With the dual time cycle function, you can set two different temperatures. This makes it more suitable for the physiological needs of your female goldfish during the breeding process.
Further, it is safe and efficient, as evident in its over-heat protection feature. With its plug-n-play design, you will also enjoy its convenience. Speaking of ease of use, you have two temperature display options— Celsius and Fahrenheit. You would not have a hard time reading and/or be understanding the temperature readings!
This model also comes with a dual LCD. Given this, you can set the temperature and view the measured temperature at the same time.
Since it is equipped with functions such as temperature calibration and temperature hysteresis, you can be confident that the temperature readings are as accurate as they could be.
With a massive power output of 1,200, it can meet all your needs for adjusting the water temperature in your tank. The temperature control range is between -50 and 99 °C or -58 and 210 °F. Then, it has an ambient temperature ranging from -30 to 75 °C or -22 to 167 °F.
Since it has no cooling function like other thermostat models, its temperature control mode only includes On/Off and Heating.
Another great thing about this product is that it comes with a one-year warranty.
2. Inkbird ITC-308 Outlet Thermostat Temperature Controller
Coming from the same manufacturer as the Inkbird ITC-306T Outlet Thermostat with Dual Time Cycle, this model has almost the same features. First, it has the same plug-n-play design, which provides for hassle-free use. Then, it also gives you the same temperature reading options of Celsius and Fahrenheit.
Moreover, they share the same large power output, allowing you to set temperatures accordingly. The temperature calibration feature lets you achieve this as accurate as possible, too.
The Inkbird ITC-308 Outlet Thermostat Temperature Controller also comes with the same temperature control range of -50 to 99 °C or -58 to 210 °F; and the same ambient temperature that ranges between -30 and 75 °C or -22 and 167 °F.
However, there is also a significant difference between the two models. For starters, this one has a cooling function— unlike the former. So, it has a dual relay feature, allowing you to connect with the cooling and heating equipment at the same time. Still, you can compare them separately or one at a time, depending on your preference and/or needs. Given this, it comes with three temperature control modes:
- On/Off
- Heating
- Cooling
It has a broader range of applications other than goldfish breeding. You may use it for other home appliances that require accurate and efficient temperature control.
For a safer and more reliable experience, this thermostat also has alarms for high and low temperatures and sensor faults. Additionally, it has an automatic temperature control system.
For further convenience as well, there is a dual-LED display. Yes, they have the same dual display, but this one comes with many better-LED screens.
Which One Should I Buy?
These two temperature controllers are almost the same. They are both suitable for controlling the temperature in the tank of your pregnant goldfish.
If you do not need a cooling function, then the first one will do. However, if you want a thermostat that you can use for other appliances at your home and one with a broader range of applications, then go for the latter.
After all, Inkbird is one of the most reliable names in this industry.
Is It Worth It?
Investing in a high-quality temperature controller has its perks. Before I bought my first thermostat for my aquariums, I was hesitant. Eventually, I realized how important it is to have one. Otherwise, I might compromise the healthy living environment that my pets deserve.
Of course, once the breeding process is over, you need to maintain a lower temperature setting for your pets. Typically, a water temperature of 30 °C or 86 °F and higher already creates a stressful environment for your goldfish. Similarly, shallow temperatures also affect the growth of your pets. Even if they can live under conditions close to the freezing point, it is still not healthy for them. Prolonged exposure to these sweltering and cold temperatures may have devastating consequences.
Directly speaking, your temperature controller will prove useful even when you are no longer breeding your goldfish. Temperature maintenance requires the same mindfulness as temperature control.
If you are still having doubts, remember that as a hobbyist or pet parent, your top priority should be the safety and comfort of your pets. So, will having a temperature controller help you attend to the needs of your pets accordingly? Definitely!
Summary About A Pregnant Goldfish
Goldfish breeding is not that hard. As long as you know the basics, you are good to go. So, let us have a quick recap.
Goldfish breeding involves two key procedures, which are as follows:
- Spawning, during which female and male goldfish release eggs and sperms, respectively, for fertilization.
- Hatching, during which the fertilized eggs are hatched.
Spawning starts at a water temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit while hatching occurs at a water temperature of at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the breeding cycle starts, you have to place a do-it-yourself (DIY) spawning mop in your fish tank. This is a crucial part of the process to create a natural breeding environment for your goldfish.
To take care of your goldfish during the breeding cycle, you need to add more protein to their diet. Additionally, you need to change the water regularly. More importantly, you need to be mindful of the behavior of male goldfish.
I hope that this article answers all your questions about goldfish breeding. If you have further concerns, you may leave your comments below.
Thanks for reading!
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