The goldfish is a small gold or orange fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. Goldfish is very important in the commercialization of ornamental fish in many countries. Goldfish has variety of colors and beautiful body. It is commonly kept as a pet in indoor aquariums and is one of the most popular aquarium fish. Goldfish are a hardy aquatic species. They can deal with temperature fluctuations, changes in pH, cloudy water, and even low dissolved oxygen levels.
Goldish are egg layers. Female goldfish can lay several thousand eggs in a week if the water temperatures are just right. When the water temperature is right, goldfish will reproduce more than once. In the wild, goldfish reproduce in the warmer climate, they spawn 2 – 3 times in a season. However, goldfish raised in the aquarium will reproduce all year round provided the temperature is right.
The number of eggs a female goldfish will lay is dependent on the age of the fish, the older a goldfish, the more eggs she produces. Also, the number of goldfish babies produced is dependent on the fertility of the eggs and water temperature. A temperature range between 70-75oF is ideal for goldfish reproduction.
Where Do Goldfish Lay Their Eggs?
In the wild, female goldfish lay their eggs around preferred fixed objects, substrate vegetation, or immersed tree roots. The eggs float to the shallow edges of the pond or lake and attach to water plants, where they remain hidden until hatching.
The eggs will become more see-through over a couple of days, assuming they are fertile. If they are not fertile then they will turn white. After two or three days, tiny black spots will show in the fertilized eggs, these spots are the developing eyes of the fry (baby goldfish).
In aquariums or ponds, Goldfish will lay their eggs in a shallower part of the pond and near the edges. Spawning mops or mats must be placed near the edge, so the eggs are easier to spot and remove. Goldfish will lay eggs in the springtime and you will want to check frequently for any eggs that are laid that you want to keep.
What Age Do Goldfish Lay Eggs?
Goldfish reach sexual maturity when they are 2 years old, this can be termed puberty for clarity sake. But they may not reproduce during this period. Goldfish are ready to breed and will lay eggs when they are about 4 years old. The breeding seasons of goldfish vary with the prevailing temperature. The spring months, between March and June, are the natural breeding time for goldfish.
How Goldfish Reproduce
Goldfish reproduction starts when the male and female are sexually mature. At about 4 years of age, the milt from the male goldfish can fertilize the eggs spawned by female goldfish. The type of fertilization exhibited by goldfish is called external fertilization.
In breeding mode, Females appear with their bellies protruding to indicate the presence of eggs before they are ready to spawn. The female goldfish lays the eggs (spawn) on a fixed object in the tank like peddles or plant roots. These eggs are yellowish and they will stick to anything they touch.
The male goldfish, after sighting the eggs, releases its sperm for fertilization. Not all the eggs are fertilized, some would be dead and infertile. Fertilized eggs are golden brown, while unfertilized eggs are white. Only the fertilized eggs develop into hatchlings. Dead and infertile eggs will decay and turn fuzzy, they should be removed to avoid contamination and pollution. The eggs will hatch in about 2 to 4 days depending on the stability of the water temperature. The better it is, the faster the eggs hatch to baby goldfish.
In addition, the number of goldfish babies is influenced by several factors. The most prominent factor is cannibalism. The goldfish parents eat the eggs and baby goldfish; only a few survive to maturity. Alternatively, you can separate the goldfish babies from their parents as soon as they hatch. This way, you can have lots of goldfish to keep or sell.