Update 2

Sorry to keep harping on about these fish, but I wonder if this is relevant. OK, so I now have one fish that seems ok in the q tank as I didnt want it to get affected by whatever was going on in the tank. That leaves my 2 goldies in their tank. Both spend long times lying on the bottom of the tank, but when they do take to swimming, they swim properly and have a good appetite.

When they are swimming, the larger of the 2, the fantail, swims up to the other one (smaller, black moor), and nudging it on its rear end or side. The black moor now seems to be missing a couple of scales off its side.

Its not continuous, and they do spemd long periods lying side by side.

I have been doing a bit of reading, and this could be signs of mating, and the fantail (if it is a male) is nudging the female to release eggs. As I dont know whether these are males or females its hard to be sure, and they have never shown this sort of behaviour to this extent before.

Could this be what the problem is? I am thinking of dragging out another tank and seperating them to give the black one a bit of a rest. I'll still treat for other things too just in case. What I dont know is if they will have to be kept apart all the time (if this is the problem) or if this behaviour is seasonal. I also dont know how the Hell to keep 3 goldfish all in seperate decent sized tanks if I need to do that!!

Well I recently transferred my female Honey Gourami into the 90L tank as I got some African Dwarf Frogs for the 28L tank she was in. Big mistake... ...the male Honey Gourami couldn't believe his luck and immediately started harrassing her something awful.

After two days of watching the poor thing being mercilessly chased around the tank (plus the male running at any fish that came near the front of the tank), I'd had enough and scooped him out so now HE'S in the 28L tank with the frogs. Hah! Serves him right...:lol:

So, long story short - if you think the "female" is suffering from the "male's" attentions then yes, I would separate them. You could always put a tank divider in your 90L tank and then they'd each have their own 45L to themselves.

actually Mary, thats not a bad idea.. To be honest I am not completely sure what the problem is - virus, flukes, bacteria, or sex!! :lol:

I suppose either way it wont hurt to divide the tank and still dose for fliukes etc.

I wonder if they will have to be divided all the time

Diana wrote:

I wonder if they will have to be divided all the time

Is this the first time you've seen this "nudging" behaviour? If so, it could be a seasonal thing as you suggested.

There has been the odd bit now and again Mary, but not quite as much. The way the fantail lies next to him/her (I dont even know what sex they are!!!) is different too. Both fish have settled on the gravel before - their usual sleeping position once the lights go ooff but now they are doing it for long periods during the day - the black moor spending most of its time lying in the corner now.

I just wish I knew if the damn fish was ill or just worn out, and I think my gut is telling me it's ill.

What a tricky one Diana. I'd definitely try the divider as Mary suggested. The one who is doing the 'nudging' maybe the male & i'd keep him from the other 2 when you are ready to re-introduce them. See what happens with the 2 'could be' females

Maybe it is just a woman thing. When the male seems frisky - pretend to be asleep

munchycarrot wrote:

Maybe it is just a woman thing. When the male seems frisky - pretend to be asleep

Of course if Ben reads this, her secret is out...:lol:

Poor lad, he probably just thinks she's got some sort of sleeping sickness :lol:

i don't do that i was errrrr.......just errrr.......

wasnt there something about a virus that was affecting goldfish? I think I remember reading about it a few weeks ago - it said some shops had losty all their stocks of goldfish because of it - they had to be culled I think to stop this virus from spreading.

Hope your fish pick up and its just a matter of late onset spring fever! :lol: