happiness

Question
Hi Alex,

My one goldfish... they were given to me by someone who couldnt look after them so I dont know what they are called, but there are two that look like they are miniatures, kinda squashed. These two are cute but not as graceful or fast as the other ones that are longer and streamlined. Well one kinda has grown fast and there are other big ones too. The fish love to chase this poor little fish and Im worried about this fishes happiness. If fish are anything like humans it would mean that the chasers are also unhappy.

Ive changed from a really little 2 foot, to a 3 foot and now to a tank that the fish of royalty are accustomed to because the little one slams into the glass and because the fish never knew the joy of letting rip.

I like them to have plants but they are sso naughty that they always pull the plants out of the pots. So they end up floating around. And its very hard to put them back in because my arms arent long enough. I have to get a step ladder. And tthe water is freezing and its winter. Maybe this excites them knowing that they are being a pain in the butt.

When the fish pick on my little squashed one I have to sometimes shout at them and tap the glass or slam the lid(loud enough for frieght but not to crack thhe glass). They look at me with a sorry look and then 5 minutes later they are back at it. Im worried that in a chase it might swallow air or stuff up its floating thing and then lose its ability to swim.

I cant put in hiding spots because the squashed one is a big squashed one and its perhaps wider than the longer slender ones. I cant buy a really big squashed one to become the dominant fish because Im now scared for my little danyos. But there are little hiding spots for the danyos but I didnt buy the danyos to be terrorised by the goldfish.

Ive also been toyying with the idea of putting in a few more females, which maybe would make the males happy. I dont know how to tell though who is a male and who is a female. And I have stopped trusting the guy at the fish shop. He gave me bad information. My favourite fish died because of that bastard.

The dominant big one even has a sore on its mouth from always shoving the poor little squashed one around. Im scared to try and treat it because I dont want to medicate the other fish, about 17.  

I have put in some danyos for a little change.

I have freeze dried blood worms and freeze dried green stuff made from all sorts of things whhich the fish guy said fish love. I am wondering how many times a week I should put a block of each inside the tank. Also are they like dogs that like any kinds of scraps? My dog loves it when I feed him steak. I dont eat fish anymore but my parents do and I was wondering if I could chop up little bits of fish and drop them in the tank. Like a nail full. Otherwise they get the best flakes. And then there are these little red pellets too.  

I toy with the idea of throwing in live food for them but I am not so good at playing god. I think sea monkeys are cute. But I know that they would love this. But I dont have the heart to condemn the sea monkeys. And yes I eat cow and chicken so Im not exactly any better.  

My dad shouts at me because I leave the tv on for them. I want to get them a little mini tv but I think my dad would go beserk. I like to put cartoons on for them and nature docos, but switch immediately when its fishing channel. My dad goes beserk though. He blames me for the high electricity bill. But then the fish act all cute and sad and I dont know what to do.

I wanted to release them in a dam but my dad said they are domesticated and cant swim well enough to survive. I also do not like the idea of them being eaten by other fish or birds.  

My dad says they are stupid and dont feel anything. I know he is wrong. Ive been looking up about nervous systems and brains and the only animal without a brain is algae.

I probably sound crazy. I never would have known that they would have growwn on me but they did and now I always wonder what I can do to make them happy.

Ive lost two fish due to inexperience. It really killed me. My dad laughed his head off. But then said fish die like it was a deep philosophical thing that makes it all feel better.

When I got the big tank I thought of how sorry I was that they could not make it. The one used to get so excited when it saw me. I think it loved me.

I never would have bought fish but my sister and her boyfriend broke up and I love animals. I wish she would stop showing commitment with animals. I would prefer tatoos. I end up with her pets.

But they make me happy.

Let me add that I am actually quite a busy person. Time is of the essence for me and I dont have time to really go all out. I mean I can go out but not all out if you know what I mean. cooking greens and stuff isnt me. Ide go as far as scraps or sashimi. Or popping by the fish shop on the way home for sea monkeys. I once kept sea monkeys as a boy so I feel funny doing that.  

What do you reakon?

Answer
Matthew,

How big is your tank? By flat do you mean flat from top to bottom or side to side? If it's side to side then i think you might have a Discus goldfish. If he is being chanced and harassed by the other fish, I would take him out of the tank.

As far as telling the sex of your goldfish, i have added a link that shows you how to tell females and males

http://www.ehow.com/how_2146225_sex-goldfish.html

I would give the fish with a sore nose a salt bath. That way you are treating just him and not the other fish If you don't know what a salt bath is let me know and I will tell you how.

You father is right when it come to releasing your fish in the river/creek or pond. It is not a good idea.

Live food is good. I have 11 adult Betta fish and a tank full of fry and they all get live bait as well as freeze dried foods. I hatch baby brine shrimp for my fry and the adults love the, I also give my adults flightless fruit flies, bloodworms both frozen and freeze dried pellets and flakes. Its good to change around their food.

I hope this helps, and if you have any more questions feel free to ask