Why is my goldfish suddenly aggressive and pecking other fish?

Question

I used to have 7 Fish 2 gold comet Fish 2 Comet silver Fish and 3 Shubunkins one Gold Comet Fish died and the gold comet Fish that didn't die is now pecking at my other Fish and it looks soooooooooooo annoying please help xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxox love Foxi. Pet's info: Fish | Unknown - Fish | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 7 months old

Angel Alvarado, LVT · Accepted Answer

This could be due to having a tank that is too small. 6 goldfish in one tank poses several potential issues. Ideally, 1 fish should have a 20 gallon tank with an additional 10 gallons provided per extra fish. This would mean they should be in at least a 70-75 gallon tank. The reason being goldfish produce a larger than average bio-load (wastes) that can quickly overwhelm a small tank and filter. Poor water quality can lead to stress and infection as well as behavioral issues. Depending on their sizes, the present tank could be overstocked leading to bullying and fin nipping. Check the water quality and chemistry. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20 ppm or less. Perform partial water changes, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and maintain or improve water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Goldfish are cold water fish and do best between 65 F and 72 F (18.3 - 22.2 C). Make sure the filter is rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. If possible, separate out the aggressive goldfish to a different tank to prevent further bullying and injury.

Why is my goldfish suddenly aggressive and pecking other fish?

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