Koi and goldfish’s playful and docile characteristics have made them popular among pond owners for ages. However, you may observe some unexpected actions from time to time, which are vital to comprehend. Your fish will frequently send you a message through their efforts.
Because Koi and goldfish are cousin species, many of their behaviors are interchangeable. On the other hand, Koi are more sensitive to their surroundings and prone to show behavioral changes in a shared pond.
Here are some typical and unusual koi and goldfish behaviors and what they mean.
CHASING
Fish will sometimes chase each other around the pond, nipping and biting at each other’s fins. This is natural for Koi and goldfish during the breeding season, but it could signal an issue with your pond set up at different times.
BREEDING
The main reason you’ll see your Koi or goldfish chasing each other is that they’re spawning. When the water temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees, fish spawn in late spring or early summer. A male goldfish will chase her around the pond to persuade an egg-bearing female to release her eggs. This can go on for several hours, but it will stop once the female achieves this.
BOREDOM AND STRESS
Boredom or stress can cause Koi or goldfish to become aggressive. For Koi and goldfish, a pond with simply water is an unnatural ecosystem. Plants provide locations for Koi and goldfish to explore and delicacies to chew on. Rocks also provide environmental variation and serve as predator hideouts. When pond fish are in an environment that does not feel natural, they might become nervous and aggressive.
POOR QUALITY Water
Breeding might be triggered by stress caused by low water quality. If your Koi or goldfish are spawning in the off-season or the chasing activity lasts longer than it should, it could signify that your water parameters are out of whack.
HIDING
You want to see your beautiful Koi and goldfish as much as a pond owner. On the other hand, the fish can be bashful and hide under rocks or plants at times. This could be due to transient circumstances that will go away on their own, or it could suggest that you need to make some changes to keep the fish happier.
Are you ready to expand your pond with some more fish? Check out our entire Koi and goldfish selection.