How to Breed Goldfish
Should you decide to breed your Goldfish, there are ways of naturally triggering spawning, which gives you a little more control over who spawns and when.
Goldfish naturally breed in the spring time, when there is an increase in the water temperature. Increasing the tank temperature a few degrees (from 14-16c to 18-22c) will trigger the females to produce eggs. It’s advised that the tank temperature be on the cooler side for a few months, to give the fish a winter period. Once the eggs are fully developed, the female will release a hormone into the water that attracts males (I imagine it works much like the Lynx adverts!).... and the chase is on and will continue until she releases those eggs.
Reduce your photoperiod during the hibernation and gradually increase as you bring the temperature up. This will encourage the Goldfish to spawn as the increase in daylight hours encourages the hormones that trigger egg production.
If you choose to breed your selected Goldfish separately (advised) you will need a tank of at least 80 Litres for the Goldfish to breed in (this is a temporary home for a couple of days, for them to breed in and does not mean that they should live in a tank this size long term). In the tank, you will need to add some plants or a spawning mop, for the eggs to adhere to and secure them into place. Avoid any gravel, ornaments or anything which could cause injury. Breeding can be aggressive and this helps to reduce injury as much as possible. This will also make it easier to clean.
The breeding tank should have less filtration than a display tank, if any. The filters can filter out the males milt before fertilisation has fully taken place, leading to an increase in unfertilised eggs. It is advised that breeding tanks are maintained by daily water changes and dosing with Prime.
Many breeders will use netting under the spawning mop or plants. Goldfish scatter their eggs and whilst the spawning mop or plants will catch some eggs, some will fall onto the base of the aquarium. Goldfish eggs are extremely delicate and removing them from the base of the aquarium can easily damage them. If you choose to use netting, ensure it is weighted with smooth pebbles. Goldfish will easily become trapped during spawning.
Whether you choose to let your Goldfish breed in the display tank or the breeding tank, you will need to prepare a smaller shallow tank, of at least 30 Litres in which to hatch your eggs and raise your fry.
In a pond environment, the spring time not only increases water temperatures, it brings a plentiful supply of tasty grubs! Adding bloodworms, brine shrimp etc, to their diet will mimic a spring feast.
Look out for the signs that the fish are ready to breed. Females will become plump and eggy and the Males will develop breeding stars. Once you start to see these signs, breeding is imminent.
The males will give chase to the females until she releases her eggs. This can last a few hours and is relentless. Females may join in the chase in hopes of a tasty snack in the form of eggs, so don’t be surprised if it gets intense.
When the females release their eggs, the Males will spray milt over them to fertilise them. If you miss this moment, but you see eggs, the likelihood is that the Males will have fertilised them. The tank may appear cloudy, but don't worry. Remember, clear water doesn't mean clean water. The opposite is just as true! The water will need changing soon though, as it gets foul pretty quickly.
Allow the fish to finish spawning before removing the eggs. When they have completed spawning, the boys will stop chasing and the girls will stop laying. This process can take a few hours. As we know, Goldfish are lovingly known as water Piggies. They don't see eggs as babies, to be nurtured and cared for, they see free food that tastes amazing!! So, once the eggs have been laid and fertilised, we need to move the eggs on the spawning media over to the fry tank.
Goldfish naturally breed in the spring time, when there is an increase in the water temperature. Increasing the tank temperature a few degrees (from 14-16c to 18-22c) will trigger the females to produce eggs. It’s advised that the tank temperature be on the cooler side for a few months, to give the fish a winter period. Once the eggs are fully developed, the female will release a hormone into the water that attracts males (I imagine it works much like the Lynx adverts!).... and the chase is on and will continue until she releases those eggs.
Reduce your photoperiod during the hibernation and gradually increase as you bring the temperature up. This will encourage the Goldfish to spawn as the increase in daylight hours encourages the hormones that trigger egg production.
If you choose to breed your selected Goldfish separately (advised) you will need a tank of at least 80 Litres for the Goldfish to breed in (this is a temporary home for a couple of days, for them to breed in and does not mean that they should live in a tank this size long term). In the tank, you will need to add some plants or a spawning mop, for the eggs to adhere to and secure them into place. Avoid any gravel, ornaments or anything which could cause injury. Breeding can be aggressive and this helps to reduce injury as much as possible. This will also make it easier to clean.
The breeding tank should have less filtration than a display tank, if any. The filters can filter out the males milt before fertilisation has fully taken place, leading to an increase in unfertilised eggs. It is advised that breeding tanks are maintained by daily water changes and dosing with Prime.
Many breeders will use netting under the spawning mop or plants. Goldfish scatter their eggs and whilst the spawning mop or plants will catch some eggs, some will fall onto the base of the aquarium. Goldfish eggs are extremely delicate and removing them from the base of the aquarium can easily damage them. If you choose to use netting, ensure it is weighted with smooth pebbles. Goldfish will easily become trapped during spawning.
Whether you choose to let your Goldfish breed in the display tank or the breeding tank, you will need to prepare a smaller shallow tank, of at least 30 Litres in which to hatch your eggs and raise your fry.
In a pond environment, the spring time not only increases water temperatures, it brings a plentiful supply of tasty grubs! Adding bloodworms, brine shrimp etc, to their diet will mimic a spring feast.
Look out for the signs that the fish are ready to breed. Females will become plump and eggy and the Males will develop breeding stars. Once you start to see these signs, breeding is imminent.
The males will give chase to the females until she releases her eggs. This can last a few hours and is relentless. Females may join in the chase in hopes of a tasty snack in the form of eggs, so don’t be surprised if it gets intense.
When the females release their eggs, the Males will spray milt over them to fertilise them. If you miss this moment, but you see eggs, the likelihood is that the Males will have fertilised them. The tank may appear cloudy, but don't worry. Remember, clear water doesn't mean clean water. The opposite is just as true! The water will need changing soon though, as it gets foul pretty quickly.
Allow the fish to finish spawning before removing the eggs. When they have completed spawning, the boys will stop chasing and the girls will stop laying. This process can take a few hours. As we know, Goldfish are lovingly known as water Piggies. They don't see eggs as babies, to be nurtured and cared for, they see free food that tastes amazing!! So, once the eggs have been laid and fertilised, we need to move the eggs on the spawning media over to the fry tank.