# data[].attributes.body
The ornamental fish that has been selected is the  Carassius auratus. Carassius auratus also known as Fantail goldfish. The body of the Fantail goldfish is egg -like and round. And its variety is easily characterized by its split tail fins. These fish may have either metallic or nacreous scales, and normal or telescopic eyes. Although the telescope eye does not develop until the fish is 6 months old. These fish fins are less developed than Ryukin. They have two anal fins and a tail. Their tail fins and anal fins are well divided. The average body length of a mature fish is about 8 inches.

# data[].attributes.body
To identify a female goldfish, look for a rounder, thicker body shape. Females may also have a bulge on one side as breeding season approaches, and their vent, or anal opening, may protrude slightly. Male goldfish often have a thinner, more streamlined body shape than females, with a concave vent and a midline ridge.

p/s: for further detail, check above website to understand the comparison of male and female goldfish.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Download Article

Download Article

Many people are interested in finding out the gender of their goldfish. You might want to know for breeding purposes, or just to make sure you didn't name your female goldfish George. Luckily, you can identify whether your fish is a male or a female by paying attention to physical and behavioral signs.

1. 1

Look for a rounder, thicker body shape. Female goldfish tend to have a rounder, thicker body shape than males of the same age and species.

They also tend to be deeper-bodied, which is useful for identifying sex from a side view.

As breeding season approaches, the females will begin to develop roe (eggs), which may cause a bulge on one side, making the female look asymmetrical or lop-sided.[1]

2. 2

Look for a protruding vent. The vent (anal opening) of a female goldfish is rounder than the male's and tends to protrude from the body slightly as breeding season approaches.[2]

When viewed from the side, the vent may appear as a raised surface on the female's abdomen.

In addition to a protruding vent, the female's anal fin may appear slightly thicker than the male's.[3]

Advertisement

1. 1

Look for c. One of the main tell-tale signs that your goldfish is male, is the development of tubercles (small white spots) on their gill-shields.[4]

Usually the breeding tubercles will only last during the fish's breeding period, however in older males who have lived through several breeding seasons, the tubercles may be present all year round.

The tubercles may also appear on the pectoral fins, on the face and on the scales on the body of the fish.

Be aware that although the presence of tubercles is a good indication that your goldfish is male, their absence does not necessarily mean that your fish is female, as not all males will develop tubercles.[5]

2. 2

Look for a thinner, more streamlined body shape. Males tend to have longer, thinner, more streamlined body shapes than females of the same age and species.

3. 3

Look for a concave vent. A male goldfish's vent is usually narrow and elongated, making it somewhat ovular in shape. It will also be concave (an innie), rather than protruding.

4. 4

Look for a midline ridge. If possible, look at the underbelly of the fish to see whether it has a midline ridge: a raised line running from the back of the pelvic fins to the vent. In females, this line will either be very faint or non-existent.

5. 5

Watch for chasing behavior. One of the most reliable ways to identify male goldfish is to observe their behavior during spawning season.

A male goldfish will chase a female around the tank or pond, staying close behind and slightly beneath her, sometimes nudging her rear.[6]

The male will also attempt to push the female against the side of the tank or into any plants, in order to force her to spawn.

However, in the absence of females, male goldfish will also chase each other around, so it's a good idea to use physical indications as well as behavioral ones to identify sex.[7]

Advertisement

1. 1

Understand that gender differences will only appear once the goldfish reaches maturity. The differences between male and female goldfish will only become obvious once the fish reach maturity, which usually takes about a year.[8]

However, the rate of maturation will depend on species and sex. Some breeds of male goldfish will reach maturity by the time they are 9 months old, while some females may take up to three years to reach maturity.

Short of DNA analysis, identifying the sex of young goldfish is practically impossible. If you wish to increase your chances of having both male and female fish, your best bet is to purchase at least six healthy fish of the same variety. Statistically, there is a 98% chance that at least one fish will be a different sex from the others.[7]

2. 2

Know that there is no foolproof method for sexing goldfish, other than observing the spawning process. Accurately identifying goldfish as either male or female is very difficult, and even the experts get it wrong from time to time. This is due to the fact that there are many exceptions to the rules:

Some male goldfish will not develop tubercles, while in rare cases a female goldfish will.[9] Some female goldfish will not have protruding vent, while male goldfish sometimes will.

In addition, some breeds of goldfish do not comply with general rules - for example, some breeds (such as ranchu or ryukin) naturally have very round, thick body shapes, which makes gender identification through body shape almost impossible.

As a result, it is best to identify the sex of your goldfish by observing multiple signs, rather than trusting a single sign alone.

3. 3

Understand that these identification methods only hold true for healthy, well-fed goldfish. Unhealthy goldfish may not follow regular spawning behavior or develop the usual physical characteristics that indicate gender.[10] As a result, it is important to ensure the health of your goldfish (this includes things such as providing good quality water and fish food) before you attempt to identify the sex.

For example, an unhealthy male goldfish may not develop the tubercles usually seen during spawning season, while an unhealthy female may not have a convex vent.

Body shape can also be misleading. A thin goldfish may be mistakenly identified as male (as males are usually smaller), but you may be looking at an underfed female. On the other hand, you may read a distended abdomen as a sign that the fish is female, but the swelling may be a sign of dropsy (an internal bacterial infection).[7]

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

How long does a goldfish live for, on average?

Sadly, the average household goldfish lives about six months because no one does the research on how to help them live longer. Goldfish can actually live up to 20 years and almost every species can grow over 6 inches (15cm). Goldfish can't live in goldfish bowls because it doesn't allow them sufficient room to grow. It also doesn't allow for decorations to be added, and goldfish are prone to depression because they are very curious fish and when there is nothing to enjoy, they'll pine. Always make sure your goldfish has enough room to swim. Compare it to yourself, would you like to live in a bowl the size of your bed? Also, there are different types of goldfish and the more streamlined bodied ones shouldn't be put with rounded bodied ones because they swim faster and will eat all the food.

Question

I have a goldfish, and it's chasing the other four fish. Is it a boy or a girl?

If it is nipping the tails of the others, then this is not a act of breeding, and it could be either. But if he swims under the others and noses their bellies, this is a sign of a male fish during breeding season.

Question

When goldfish spawn, how do I change the water in the fish tank?

You can remove as much dirty water as necessary out of the tank using a cup and a bailing method rather than a suction hose and replace it with clean water. Upsetting the bottom of the tank where they will be releasing their eggs can interrupt their spawning and will fail to fertilize their eggs. When adding fresh water, make sure it does not disturb bottom by pouring the water slowly through a colander or strainer, or against the side of the tank.

Question

My goldfish keep swimming in circles like they are fighting and chasing each other around the tank. What does this mean?

This is most likely aggressive, bullying behavior and it's probably best to separate the fish before one of them kills the other.

Question

Do they eat their own eggs?

Yes, so if you spot goldfish eggs on plants or decor, take either the goldfish or the eggs out. Put the eggs in a hatchling tank. Baby goldfish may also need oxygen to help them.

Question

Which goldfish gender lives longer?

It all depends on how you take care of your fish. Common and Comet goldfish need more room than any other species, but generally females live longer, as males don't have a grand purpose. Females need more time so they can pass on more generations, as males just need to mate with them.

Question

What does it mean if my goldfish is staying at the bottom of the tank, but is still alive and swimming?

It could be a swim bladder disorder. My pop-eyed goldfish got this and died a few weeks afterwards. This is caused by swelling of the intestines. You should feed it peas instead of flake food so that it won't get air in its stomach.

Question

If my goldfish is mostly white. Is it male or female?

It could be either gender. Look at the anus size; females have a large anus, whereas males don't. Males will also chase females.

Question

Do goldfish ever fight?

Not usually. Goldfish are friendly fish. If your goldfish do fight, you should put a divider in the tank, separating the two fish.

Question

How can I know when my goldfish is pregnant?

Goldfish do not get pregnant. The females lay eggs and the males fertilize them.

Show more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Try going to a pet store and looking at larger goldfish. This could help you learn to tell the differences between them more easily.

Some goldfish enthusiasts also believe that males tend to be brighter in color and be more active than females.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement

References

About This Article

Article Summary X

To identify a female goldfish, look for a rounder, thicker body shape. Females may also have a bulge on one side as breeding season approaches, and their vent, or anal opening, may protrude slightly. Male goldfish often have a thinner, more streamlined body shape than females, with a concave vent and a midline ridge. Also, males often develop small white spots called tubercles on their gills or face during breeding season. If you want to learn how to tell your goldfish's sex by their behavior, keep reading the article!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,750,835 times.

Did this article help you?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Tell if Your Goldfish Is a Male or Female: 10 Steps

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many people are interested in finding out the gender of their goldfish. You might want to know for breeding purposes, or just to make sure you didn't name your female goldfish George. Luckily, you can identify whether your fish is a male...

# data[].attributes.body
After selecting the aquarium. The aquarium was clean using tap water without using any soap. The cleaning process only takes less than 30 minutes. Remove all water inside the aquarium. Leave the aquarium without filling it with water because it is easy to decorate for the aquascape.

# data[].attributes.body
I brought bio-foam filter for my aquarium which is one of mechanical filter type that used medium filter media. I brought it from the local shop in our university area. The reason I choose this type of filter is it is easy to maintain and cheap. This filter also will provide air bubble which can increase the dissolve oxygen in the water.

# data[].attributes.body
The stone decoration was found around Tok Jembal beach. For the aquasoil, I choose black aquasoil as the base or the floor of the aquarium. I bought the aquasoil at the local fish shop. The stone from Tok Jembal beach had been soaked in water for 24 hour to remove all the dirt and beach sand. I also bought small white stone at the fish shop to contrast the base of the aquarium.

# data[].attributes.body
I set up the aquarium using the beach stone that I collect yesterday and the aquasoil that I already bought. The concept of the aquascape is simple and clean. I chose black aquasoil as base floor and decorated with small white stone. The beach stone also have different type of shape, size and colour.

# data[].attributes.body
I brought two goldfish at the local shop. After that, I put the fish package in the aquarium with water in it to make the fish comfortable with the water temperature. After more than 15 minutes, I release the fish.

# data[].attributes.body
For the feeding schedule, I set that the feeding will be twice per day. In the morning (10-12 am) and evening (3-5 pm). The feed will be given according to the goldfish appetite. It will prevent from the overfeeding which can cause the goldfish to dead and also drop the water quality.

# data[].attributes.body
I brought a aquarium lamp at Meng Yu 3 shop. The lamp that I chose is blue and white light. The reason I chose this colour is it suitable with the aquarium size and the aquascape that I chose.

# data[].attributes.body
For week 2 first update, goldfish behaviour is normal. during the feeding time there no abnormal behaviour. goldfih been active and swim normally.

# data[].attributes.body
For week 2 second update, the goldfish been feed according to the feeding schedule. There no abnormal behaviour and the fish is very active during feeding.

# data[].attributes.body
In week 3, one of the goldfish found dead. There no sign of disease or wound found on the fish. Meanwhile, other goldfish seen to be in normal condition. During feeding, other goldfish very active and eating normally.

# data[].attributes.body
After one of the goldfish found dead, I change the water in the aquarium. To prevent from other fish die which cause by contaminated water.

# data[].attributes.body
Due to the dead of fish, I went to local fish shop to buy another pair of goldfish.

# data[].attributes.body
The condition of new pair of goldfish is good. All goldfish which is from previous batch and newest batch get along well together. There no sign of fight between both pair.

# data[].attributes.body
Goldfish in good condition. During feeding, goldfish being active and eating a lot. There not have any sign of fight or wound. All goldfish compatible toward each other.

# data[].attributes.body
One of the goldfish found dead. There no sign of disease or wound found on the fish body. Other goldfish in active and didn't show any symptom of disease and abnormal behaviour.

p/s: I didn't check dead goldfish stomach because I didn't have dissecting set kit. I found that one of the reason goldfish die is due to the fish shallow small sand/soil.

# data[].attributes.body
One of goldfish show abnormal behaviour which is not being active as usual. Other goldfish act normally and active. I take out the abnormal goldfish from the aquarium and put it in separated aquarium for quarantine.

# data[].attributes.body
I found that there parasite in the water. I take out all parasite and double check of any other parasite left.

p/s: The quarantine goldfish has dead. I change the water but I forget to take picture. I found that the parasite is fish lice which is scientifically know as Argulus spp. This parasite can be a major threat to fish health, because heavy infestations can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Due to the parasite, I check each goldfish to make sure there no parasite attach on their body.

# data[].attributes.body
Goldfish condition is normal. Very active during feeding. It seem that goldfish had been showing affection toward each other.

p/s: I didn't know weather this behaviour cause by the mating process or the fish just playing with each other.

# data[].attributes.body
Goldfish is one of easiest ornamental fish to be breed. One of important thing in goldfish breeding is condition of aquarium environment. Other than that is the broodstock of goldfish. Last but not least, the proper procedure for the breeding method.

p/s: I didn't has wide knowledge in goldfish breeding method so I google of the detail information. Above is one of the website that show the goldfish breeding method.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Download Article

Download Article

Breeding goldfish is not as easy as it sounds. Creating the right environment for your goldfish, finding fertile mates, encouraging procreation and ensuring the correct incubation and birth of eggs are all essential steps in breeding goldfish. It can be time consuming and expensive, so it's difficult to turn a profit on such ventures. However, if done correctly you may just surprise yourself. Like many tasks, the key is attention to detail and patience.

1. 1

Plan far enough in advance. It takes a long time to create the right environment for mating. Buy your fish nearly a year in advance.[1] July and August are the best months to purchase your fish, as goldfish like to breed during the Spring.[2] You'll want your goldfish to be properly adjusted to their habitat and de-stressed before breeding season, so try to plan far enough in advance!

The first thing you want to do (assuming you already have a smaller tank that can hold at least 4 gallons or 15 liters) is to clean your newly purchased breeders. By adding 80 eye drops of Formaldehyde, 6 drops of Copper Sulphate and just 1 small measure of Terramycin, you will be able to clean the goldfish and the tank to keep all healthy.

2. 2

Create the right tank environment. The tank you plan to breed them in should hold at least 20 gallons (75.7 liters) of water. Additionally, add the necessary props for a natural-looking goldfish habitat. This normally includes natural or artificial bushy plants or fertile, sprawling fibers.

When females lay their eggs, they usually anchor them to something solid. If you're going to let them breed naturally, you'll definitely want a lush environment. If you're going to breed them artificially, no plants are necessary, although they do improve quality of life (and act as a great water filter) when the fish are not breeding.

Consider investing in spawning mops. Spawning mops are made of floating nylon string into which females send their eggs.[3] You don't need spawning mops if you have plenty of brush, plants, or other fibrous material, but they're an easy, efficient way of safeguarding your goldfish eggs, as grown-up goldfish tend to eat any unsecured eggs.

Advertisement

3. 3

Start improving the diet of your goldfish. Without abruptly changing the diet of your goldfish, start introducing non-pellet food, such as brine shrimp or live black worms, into their tanks. This simulates the natural bounty of springtime when goldfish like to breed. A couple of pointers on feeding your goldfish in general:

Feed your goldfish in small amounts but often. Feed them three times a day, being careful not to overfeed them. Many goldfish owners make the mistake of feeding their fish too much; the leftover scraps remain uneaten, sink to the bottom of the tank, decomposing and spoiling the water.

No matter what you feed them, make sure you crumple it up small enough to fit in their mouths.

4. 4

Simulate spring by dropping the temperature, then making it gradually warmer. Goldfish breed in the spring, so you want to replicate the heating up of the water.[4] To do this, first, drop the temperature to between 10°C (50°F) and 12°C (54°F). Then, when you're ready to breed, raise the temperature by 2°C (3°F) per day, until the temperature is between 20°C (68°F) and 23°C (74°F).

5. 5

Make sure you're cycling out water every day. A partial water change is important to the general wellbeing of your fish and in stimulating breeding conditions specifically. Remove as much as 20% of the water in your tank daily, being sure not to exceed this amount.

Remember to add water conditioner to the water that you cycle into the tank. Conditioners neutralize chemicals harmful to your fish, as well as remove chlorine and counteract chloramines.

Advertisement

1. 1

Know what a female goldfish tends to look like. Sexing your goldfish is probably the single most important task in breeding; obviously, if you put a bunch of males together because you can't tell them apart, you're not going to end up with any progeny. Here's what females tend to look like:

Look at the shape of their vent. The vent is a small opening between the anus and the anal fin where fish excrete egg or sperm, depending on the sex.[5] Female vents are rounded and convex, like an outie.

Feel the abdomen. The abdomen, between the pelvic and anal fins, is very soft and movable for females.

Look at the pectoral fins. The pectoral fins of females are round and short.

Overall, female goldfish tend to be a bit smaller and rounder than male goldfish, who tend to be longer and pointier. This, however, is a less reliable way to tell the two apart.

2. 2

Know what a male goldfish tends to look like. Male goldfish tend to be a bit smaller than their female counterparts. They can also be distinguished by looking at the following traits:

The presence of small white stars, or tubercles. Tubercles are little bumps that appear on the fins, head, and even gills of males when they're ready to breed.

A concave, or innie, vent. Males have a vent that slices inward instead of bulges outward.

Feel the abdomen. The abdomens of males are much more rigid and hard than those of females.

Look at the pectoral fins. The pectoral fins of males are pointier and longer compared to the short, round pectoral fins of the females.

3. 3

Look at the behavior of goldfish to tell apart males and females. During breeding season, males start chasing around females, sluggishly at first but with increasing fervor. Introduce a known female into the tank and look for the reaction of the other fish: Males will show a lot of interest, whereas females will show none!

4. 4

Consider isolating males and females for a couple weeks before breeding. Many breeders separate males and females at least a few weeks before breeding in order to create a greater desire to breed. Just like with humans, absence makes the heart grow fonder!

Advertisement

1. 1

Choose your best breeders. Young robust goldfish are ideal because of their high fertility and sex-drive. For a female goldfish, look for ones with large rear and pectoral areas; for males, find a large mate (approximately anywhere from 4 to 6 inches) that is also a fast swimmer. Males with many small tubercles behind their heads on their gills is a sign of an ideal mate.

For an ideal mix of breeders, try to isolate your three best male and two best female goldfish.

2. 2

Introduce the five goldfish into the same tank and look for natural spawning. You will notice that the male goldfish will bear a lighter tint around their stomach area and be swimming swiftly around the tank, typically chasing the females. The female will drop the eggs over one of the plants, once the male goldfish will distribute sperm over the eggs to fertilize them. If you miss the moment of procreation but see eggs in the plants, they have likely been fertilized.

3. 3

Artificially inseminate, if natural spawning proves unsuccessful. Introduce one male and one female together in a shallow tank. Gently hold the male goldfish and lightly rub his vent, clearing it of sperm. Swirl the sperm in the water and repeat the same process with the vent of the female, releasing her eggs. Swirl the water again to combine the sperm and the eggs.

Be very ginger with artificial insemination. Your goldfish can bruise easily, so apply very light pressure when clearing their vents.

You don't have to keep your goldfish underwater as you squeeze their vents. Goldfish, like other fish, can breathe outside of water, although not as well. Just be sure to keep them out of water for no more than 30 seconds at a time.

4. 4

Separate your breeders from your eggs. Unfortunately, goldfish in captivity have a tendency to eat nearly all their eggs. This makes it necessary to separate the parents from their eggs almost immediately to ensure a full batch of eggs is hatched successfully. Fertilized eggs should hatch within 4 to 7 days, depending on the temperature of the water.

When the eggs finally do hatch soon after they are fertilized, you can feed them the same food that you feed the adults. Just make sure that they are in even smaller bites than the adult food so their smaller mouths and throats are capable of ingestion.

Try to keep the eggs in the same water they were bred in. Transplant only at your own risk.

5. 5

Be patient while your fish develop and reach maturity. Soon you will have a whole litter of young goldfish swimming around your tank. Make sure the tank is big enough to accommodate all the young goldfish fry.

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

How many fish can I put in one tank?

Craig Morton
Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc.

Craig Morton is the CEO of Aquarium Doctor Inc. based in Huntington Beach California and servicing Orange County, Los Angeles County, and the Inland Empire. With over 30 years of aquarium experience, Craig specializes in creating custom aquarium designs along with aquarium installation, service, and maintenance.

Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc.

Expert Answer

Question

How do I adjust the temperature in the tank when breeding goldfish?

Craig Morton
Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc.

Craig Morton is the CEO of Aquarium Doctor Inc. based in Huntington Beach California and servicing Orange County, Los Angeles County, and the Inland Empire. With over 30 years of aquarium experience, Craig specializes in creating custom aquarium designs along with aquarium installation, service, and maintenance.

Aquarium Specialist, Aquarium Doctor Inc.

Expert Answer

Question

What do goldfish eggs look like?

Goldfish eggs look like tiny, gooey beads that are clumped together. They can be pale yellow, white, or grey in color. Some may also have have dark specks inside of them. These specks are the baby goldfish.

Question

How do goldfish breed naturally?

The male will push the female into the plants (or spawning mobs) and help her to lay the eggs on the plants while the male the eggs fertilizes.

Question

My goldfish laid eggs around three days ago. The eggs are stuck on the decorations in the tank. How do I tell if they are fertilized?

Imbisale

Community Answer

They will have red dotted centers.

Question

One of my goldfish is being chased around the tank by the others. How do I handle this?

The reasons they are chasing this one fish may be because the one fish could be the only female, and is sending off a hormonal sent which is causing all the chasing. The way to handle this would be to just remove the one fish from the tank that all the others are in and put it in a separate tank, perhaps with a new fish friend who is more docile.

Question

How long will it take for the eggs to hatch?

It will take about 3 days in time to 7 days, depending upon the temperature of the water.

Question

How can I tell if my fish is a male or a female?

Examine the vent of the fish. This is just below the caudal fin (tail). If it is convex, or bulging, then it is a female. A concave vent is indicative of a male. Males also tend to be slightly smaller than females.

Question

Is there a way to determine the age of a goldfish?

Check the color of your goldfish. If it has a greenish bronze coloration, it's probably under the age of one. If it has a gold metallic coloration, it is probably an adult (two to 25 years old). You may find it helpful to read How to Tell if Your Goldfish Is an Adult.

Question

Will goldfish lay eggs in a glass tank?

Yes, goldfish may lay eggs in a glass tank.

Show more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Do not handle the goldfish unless it is necessary. Handling them can cause not only stress, but can damage their scales.

Advertisement

Video

References

About This Article

Article Summary X

To breed goldfish, start by placing a male and female goldfish in the same tank. Then, wait for the female to drop her eggs and the male to fertilize them. Once you notice the fertilized eggs in the tank, transfer both goldfish to a different tank so they don't eat the eggs. Then, wait 4-7 days for the eggs to hatch. For tips on setting up a goldfish tank for breeding, scroll down!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 927,228 times.

Reader Success Stories

"I've learned to sex my fish pretty reliably with your help. Of the five, there is only one female, but she has..." more

Did this article help you?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Breeding goldfish is not as easy as it sounds. Creating the right environment for your goldfish, finding fertile mates, encouraging procreation and ensuring the correct incubation and birth of eggs are all essential steps in breeding...

# data[].attributes.body
Goldfish is an egg-scatter ornamental fish. It is important for the fish to have substrate for their breeding. Breeding/spawning mop is common breeding substrate that been used in goldfish breeding. other that breeding/spawning mop, aquatic plant also can be use as breeding substrate.

p/s: Above show the method of making artificial breeding substrate which is breeding/spawning mop.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Follow our step-by-step guide to making your own truly budget breeding mop.

In this age of hi-tech fishkeeping in some ways we know more than ever, but I can't help wondering if some of the traditional, more basic skills are being lost.

So, behold, a breeding aid that's every bit as useful as baby brineshrimp or a breeding trap - and costs pennies!
What are they for?
As the name suggests, spawning mops are an aid in breeding fish - egg scatterers in particular - and these make up a huge percentage of the fish we regularly keep, from goldfish to Glowlight tetras.

The eggs of such fish are adhesive and scattered over plants or fine tree roots in the wild where they stick, develop and hatch.

The spawning mop is a man-made device to simulate the job of plants in the wild, catching the eggs and offering some protection from the predatory parents until you can spot the laid eggs. The mops with the eggs and parents should then be separated.
Why use wool?
Mops are typically made from wool and any yarn, synthetic or natural will do - just like your grandma uses when knitting. The fibres are perfect for catching eggs and the wool itself is soft on the fish's body. This is significant, as in the case of cyprinids like barbs and goldfish over-amorous males like to drive the females through the mops and can be pretty hard on them.

Breeding tanks are typically bare for hygiene regions - to help prevent fungus forming on the eggs - but bare tanks also help you spot any eggs that might

have missed the mops.

Place your finished mops in a bare tank and, with a bit of luck, those randy egg scatterers will head straight for them.
Mops or plants?
Why use artificial mops instead of plants? Mops actually work better, having more surface area to catch eggs, but, most importantly, they can be kept clean and sterile by washing or soaking them. Then, when you've finished with them, dry and store them.

Two types of mops are used and floating ones are the most common. Make them buoyant by tying them to wine corks or, in this case, pieces of polystyrene. To increase your egg-catching abilities use sinking mops, which are exactly the same but minus the floats.
Project breakdown
What you need: A piece of cardboard, scissors, wool and polystyrene packing material

Time taken: Under five minutes if you know how.

Cost: Ball of wool from £1.29 upwards from Hobbycraft. One ball will make loads of mops.

Effectiveness: Nothing beats a wool spawning mop for breeding egg-scattering fish.
How to make your spawning mop 1. Snip your card
Very few items are needed to make your mop. One is a piece of cardboard and the first step is to cut a slit in it at the top and bottom.
2. Tuck in your wool
Having made the slits, take your wool, tuck it into the top slot and start winding it several times around the cardboard.
3. Wind and wrap
I've wrapped the wool around 50 times, but you can wrap more or less, depending on how dense you want your mops to be.
4. Trim and tie
With the last winding cut with scissors and tie it around at one end of the carboard. This will gather threads together, ready for removal.
5. Cut the opposite end
Cut the opposite end to the one that you have just tied with scissors. The cardboard has now done its job!
6. Remove in readiness
Take the clump of wool away from the board and your mop is now formed and nearly ready for your tank.
7. Make it buoyant
Using two strands from the mop get a wine cork or piece of polystyrene and tie it on with a loop to make it buoyant.
8. Squeeze out any air
Place it in your breeding tank and squeeze the air out of the wool. Hopefully this will soon be showing signs of eggs. Job done!

Why not take out a subscription to Practical Fishkeeping magazine? See our latest subscription offer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Follow our step-by-step guide to making your own truly budget breeding mop. In this age of hi-tech fishkeeping in some ways we know more than ever, but I can't help wondering if some of the traditional, more basic skills are being lost.

# data[].attributes.body
One of the fish has fungus on their body. Another fish didn't has fungus. But the fish behavious is active during feeding.

p/s: I take out the infected fish and put it in separate aquarium. Then, I treat the fish with blue salt solution water.

# data[].attributes.body
I change the water in the aquarium due to fish infected to fungus.

p/s: I check another goldfish to make sure it did get infected by fungus. The fungus that on treatment goldfish seen to be decrease. Once the fish finish being treated the goldfish been remove back into the aquarium.